Tilak, Pandya sizzle as India rout Zimbabwe to keep alive

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CHENNAI: An explosive fifty from Hardik Pandya catapulted India to a commanding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in their Super Eights Group 1 meeting at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday.
The hosts piled-up 256-4 before restricting Zimbabwe to 184-6.
On a balmy night at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, India produced their highest total of the tournament, overwhelming Zimbabwe with sustained aggression and then tightening the screws with disciplined bowling to claim two crucial points and keep their semis hopes alive.
India, who were demolished by South Africa the other day, are yet to face West Indies which will be a do-or-die battle for both the nations.
Pandya smashed an unbeaten 50 off 23 balls while Tilak Varma hammered 44 not out from just 16 deliveries as India plundered 84 runs in the final five overs to put the game beyond reach.
“We wanted to keep pushing the tempo,” Pandya said after being named Player of the Match. “On wickets like this, 200 isn’t enough. The message was to finish strong.”
Put in to bat, India raced to 80-1 in the powerplay, immediately putting Zimbabwe’s attack under pressure.
Sanju Samson struck a brisk 24 before falling in the fourth over but Abhishek Sharma seized control with a 30-ball 55, combining clean lofted drives with fearless pulls. He reached his fifty off 26 balls as India surged past 100 inside 10 overs.
Ishan Kishan contributed 38 off 24 balls in a 72-run second-wicket partnership before Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza broke through.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav maintained the charge with a blistering 33 off 13 balls, striking at over 250, as India crossed 150 in the 13th over.
The final flourish came from Pandya and Tilak Varma who added 84 runs in just 31 balls for the fifth wicket stand.
Pandya cleared the ropes four times, bringing up his fifty in the penultimate over while Tilak’s inventive stroke-play including four sixes left Zimbabwe’s bowlers reeling.
Zimbabwe conceded 62 runs in the last four overs with Tinotenda Maposa and Richard Ngarava proving particularly expensive as India closed on a formidable 256-4 at a run rate of 12.80.
Chasing 257, Zimbabwe began steadily, reaching 44 without loss in the powerplay. Brian Bennett anchored the innings superbly, compiling a valiant 97 not out off 59 balls, striking eight fours and six sixes.
Axar Patel removed Tadiwanashe Marumani and Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Dion Myers before Arshdeep Singh delivered the decisive blows.
The left-arm seamer claimed 3-24, including the key wickets of Raza and Ryan Burl in the 17th over to derail Zimbabwe’s chase just as they threatened to accelerate.
Despite Bennett’s resistance, Zimbabwe required over 100 in the final six overs and never seriously threatened India’s imposing total.
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Pandya maintained control through the middle overs conceding just 42 runs in their combined six overs.
With the knockout stage looming, India appear to be peaking at the right time, boasting both firepower and bowling control.

Summarised score:

India 256-4 (20 overs)
Hardik Pandya 50* (23), Abhishek Sharma 55 (30), Tilak Varma 44* (16), Ishan Kishan 38 (24), Suryakumar Yadav 33 (13)
Blessing Muzarabani 1-43, Richard Ngarava 1-62, Sikandar Raza 1-29

Zimbabwe 184-6 (20 overs)
Brian Bennett 97* (59), Sikandar Raza 31 (21), Tadiwanashe Marumani 20 (20)
Arshdeep Singh 3-24, Varun Chakravarthy 1-35, Axar Patel 1-35, Shivam Dube 1-46

Result: India won by 72 runs
Player of the Match: Hardik Pandya