Thunderous sixes from Hardik Pandya lit up MA Chidambaram Stadium as India thrashed Zimbabwe by 72 runs in T20 World Cup 2026 Super-8 action. Pandya’s unbeaten 50 (23 balls, 4×6, 2×4) earned Player of the Match, complemented by a 84-run blitz with Tilak Varma (44*) in 31 overs, setting a formidable 256 for 4.
Zimbabwe folded for 184 for 6 in pursuit. Reflecting on his carnage, Pandya said, ‘The epiphany came during play: rely on timing, not brute force, for those maximums. It clicked after recent struggles, making this a rhythm-building outing.’
He also impressed with the ball, delivering three overs for 21 runs. ‘Swing with the new ball—inswinger or outswinger—keeps batsmen guessing,’ he elaborated.
South Africa’s prior 9-wicket rout of West Indies added context to India’s effort. ‘We kept an eye on it, then locked in on our game,’ Pandya stated. ‘Focus on skills, pressure management, and peak performance.’
India’s statement win underscores their Super-8 prowess, with Pandya emerging as the all-round catalyst.