India inflicted a crushing defeat on Zimbabwe to end their Super 12 stage in style. The men in blue won the match by 71 runs to register a 4th win in 5 matches this T20 World Cup. India who had already qualified for the semi-finals following South Africa’s defeat to Netherlands earlier in the day ensured the fact that they top the table with an emphatic win over a clueless Zimbabwean side. India with this win have topped their group with 8 points in 5 matches. Zimbabwe on the other hand were handed another bitter loss in their final match of the competition. The side finished at the bottom of the group with just 2 points in 5 matches.
India won the toss and was elected to field first at the MCG. India lost Skipper Rohit Sharma early on inside the powerplay. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul steered the innings forward thereon and prevented the fall of any more wickets. The in-form batters found the gaps and also rotated the strike brilliantly well. Just when things started to get settled for India Zimbabwe came up with a moment of brilliance as both the batters were sent back in a space of 4 balls.
This quick breakthrough helped Zimbabwe find their way back in the game as they were able to curb India’s run rate considerably thereon.
The responsibilty was now on Suryakumar Yadav who was new to the crease along with Hardik Pandya, to provide India with a good finish. The duo displayed some exceptional big hitting with Suryakumar Yadav leading the charge. The right-hander smashed the bowlers to all corners of the ground and raced to a magnificent fifty off just 23 balls. India eventually got to 186/5 in 20 overs.
Zimbabwe had the worst possible start to their innings as they lost a wicket off the first ball of their innings with Wesley Madhevere. The Indian bowlers piled on Zimbabwe’s miseries as they ran riot against their clueless opposition to dismantle their batting lineup right from the beginning. The Craig Ervine lead side has half of its side back into the pavilion with just 36 runs on the board.
A significant partnership between Sikander Raza and Ryan Burl helped the side get out of trouble. The duo added some invaluable runs in quick time to give their side some sort of hope. This however proved to be the last form of resistance from the Zimbabweans of any form in the match. The stand was broken at 60 and what followed was total carnage from the Indian bowlers. The lower-order batsmen didn’t really stand a chance as Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 115.
India registered a huge victory to end their Super 12 stage on a high. The side will now be facing England in the second semi-final on 10th November at Adelaide Oval.
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