How can India qualify for T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals after their 72-run win vs Zimbabwe in Super 8s?

India came into their second Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 under pressure after their massive 76-run defeat against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. They were up against several equations before their eyes, but the only good thing for them was that the Proteas got the better of the West Indies in the afternoon clash at the same ground against the West Indies.

In a do-or-die clash, India batted first to post a massive score of 256 runs for the loss of four wickets in their 20 overs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai against Zimbabwe. Their opening batter, Abhishek Sharma, celebrated a fine knock of 55 runs in 30 balls with the help of four boundaries and as many sixes, while the other batters contributed equally.

See Also: Watch: India smash 21 runs off Richard Ngarava’s 19th over in IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s

Meanwhile, India’s all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, clubbed an unbeaten 50 runs in 23 balls at a strike rate of 217.39, hitting four sixes and two boundaries. Tilak Varma remained undefeated on 44 runs in 16 balls with the help of three boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate of 275.

How can India qualify for T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals?

In reply, Zimbabwe were restricted to 184 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs as their opener, Brian Bennett, remained unbeaten on 97 runs in 59 balls with the help of eight boundaries and six sixes at a strike rate of 164.41.

India’s next and final Super 8 clash is scheduled to happen against the West Indies at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 01. That will be the quarter-final for both sides. The winner will take the glory, given that the net run rate won’t come into the equation for this contest.

West Indies can still qualify for the semifinal of the World Cup without beating India, if the game gets abandoned due to rain, as they have a better net run rate. But that scenario is next to impossible, given that it doesn’t rain much in March at this part of the world.