India post record 256 vs Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup, set sights on must-win game vs West Indies

In a breathtaking batting masterclass, India rewrote the record books by posting 256 for 4 against Zimbabwe in their Super 8 clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday. This is India’s highest‑ever total in T20 World Cup history , surpassing their previous best of 218 scored against England in the inaugural 2007 tournament .

The Indian innings was fuelled by aggressive strokeplay from start to finish. Abhishek Sharma provided the early impetus with a brisk 55 off 30 balls , while Sanju Samson (24) and Ishan Kishan (38) kept the momentum going through the middle overs. But the late onslaught from Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma turned the innings into a spectacle. Pandya’s blazing 50 off 23 deliveries and Varma’s unbeaten 44 off 16 balls helped India smash 17 towering sixes.

For his explosive finishing, Hardik Pandya was named Man of the Match , his assault in the death overs laying the foundation for India’s imposing total.

Chasing a record 257‑run target , Zimbabwe battled valiantly but could only manage 184 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Brian Bennett was the standout for the visitors, scoring a brilliant 97 not out , but wickets at regular intervals ensured Zimbabwe fell 72 runs short.

India’s bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh , struck crucial blows to derail the chase, while spinners chipped in to keep the pressure on.

The victory keeps India firmly in the hunt for a semi‑final berth after an earlier loss dented their campaign. With their confidence restored by this record‑setting performance, India now turn their attention to a must‑win Super 8 match against West Indies on 1st March . A win in Kolkata will be crucial for India’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages, making the upcoming clash a high‑stakes battle for the Men in Blue.