India finally unleashes 'SKYBall' in T20WC; a historic top-six batting record headlines list of records broken
Chennai, February 26
Team India unleashed the 'SKYBall' during the do-or-die T20 World Cup against Zimbabwe, smashing several records in the process and once again showing why they are one of the finest T20I units ever.
Team India registered a fine 72-run win over Zimbabwe to keep themselves in contention for the semifinal spot in the T20 World Cup at home. After a humiliating 76-run loss to South Africa at Ahmedabad, Team India learnt from its mistakes with regard to tactics and their performance and responded with a memorable confidence-booster performance that will get the fans smiling.
Each of India's six batters in action struck at a 150-plus strike rate, making it the first instance of six or more batters scoring 20-plus runs at 150+ SR in an innings during the T20 World Cup.
India also played out a total of just 26 dot balls, the lowest by them in a T20 World Cup, with South Africa also playing out 26 dots against England at Wankhede Stadium in 2016. During that match, England chased down 230 set by Proteas, courtesy a masterclass 83 by Joe Root, which outshone half-centuries from Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy.
India has hit 63 sixes this World Cup so far - the most by them in an edition of the tournament, surpassing 61 in 2024; only West Indies' tally of 66 this edition ranks higher for a team. In their innings at Chennai, they hit 17 sixes, the most for them in a T20 World Cup inning, surpassing 15 against Australia in the 2024 edition at Gros Islet, during which Rohit Sharma played an iconic knock of 92 in 41 balls, with seven fours and eight sixes, powering India to 205/5.
The partnership between Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya of 84 runs in just 31 balls had a run-rate of 16.25. There has been only one more partnership with a better run-rate of 18.00, a partnership of 87 runs in 29 balls between Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene in the 2007 edition of the T20 WC. In this match, Sri Lanka made the highest total in tournament history of 260 runs, a record which still stands to this day.
With this win, India has a win and a loss each in the Super Eight phase, same as West Indies, making the March 1 clash between them a virtual knockout match for the second semifinal spot, with Proteas having qualified for the semifinal with two wins in two matches so far. India was put to bat first by Zimbabwe and they put their highest T20 WC total on the board courtesy knocks from Abhishek Sharma (55 in 30 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes), Hardik Pandya (50* in 23 balls, with two fours and four sixes) and Tilak Varma (44* in 16 balls, with three fours and four sixes). In reply, Zimbabwe was valiant, posting 184/6 in 20 overs, courtesy a fine 97* in 59 balls, consisting of eight fours and six sixes by Brian Bennett and a 21-ball 31 by skipper Sikandar Raza. Arshdeep Singh (3/24) was the top wicket-taker for India.
— ANI
Reader Comments
That partnership between Tilak and Hardik was pure fire! 84 runs in 31 balls is just insane. Shows the depth we have. But we must not get carried away, the real test is against West Indies now. Fingers crossed!
Records are nice, but the trophy is what matters. We've seen great performances in group stages before and then faltered in knockouts. Hope this momentum carries into the must-win game. Bowling still looks a bit expensive.
Watching from the UK, that was some of the most explosive T20 batting I've seen. The strike rates are unbelievable. Brian Bennett's knock for Zimbabwe was class too, made it a proper contest.
Finally, the team management is letting the players play freely! No more conservative approach in the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma coming good at the top is a huge positive. On to the next one!
As a cricket fan, this was a treat! But let's also appreciate Zimbabwe's fight. 184 is not a small score to chase, they batted well. Arshdeep's wickets were crucial. Hope we can keep this energy for the final push.
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