New Delhi. This massive win of 72 runs against Zimbabwe at the Chepauk ground has not only given the Indian fans a chance to dance, but has also kept the hopes of the semi-finals alive. The ‘five heroes’ of Team India were behind the huge score of 256 runs and then the disciplined bowling. Hardik Pandya, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Tilak Verma proved with their performances how to absorb pressure in big matches.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav once again showed why he is called the king of T20. After losing the toss, when Team India came to bat, Surya completely destroyed the strategy of the opposition bowlers. He hit shots in every corner of the field and played a captaincy innings, playing a key role in taking the team beyond 250. It was his aggression that pushed Zimbabwe on the back foot.
These 5 players played an important role in India’s victory.
Explosive ‘engine’ of powerplay Abhishek Sharma
Young sensation Abhishek Sharma set it on fire right at the beginning of the innings. With his fearless batting, he did not give Zimbabwe’s strike bowlers a chance to get set. Abhishek’s explosive start created a platform for the middle order from where the foundation of big scores was laid. His innings ensured that India’s run-rate remained above 10 from the first over.
Tilak Verma, the strong ‘backbone’ of the middle order
Tilak Verma set an example of maturity in this match. When wickets were falling at one end or there was pressure to maintain the run rate, Tilak rotated the strike and sent bad balls out of the boundary. His intelligent batting gave Suryakumar Yadav the freedom to play freely. This innings of Tilak proved to be very important for the balance of the team.
Hardik Pandya’s ‘classic’ all-round performance
Hardik Pandya once again proved why he is the best all-rounder in the world. While batting, he came towards the end and hit some long sixes, due to which the score could reach 256. After this, when the ball came in his hands, he broke the back of important Zimbabwe batsmen by sending them to the pavilion. Hardik’s ‘finisher’ and ‘wicket taker’ avatar was the biggest plus point for India.
‘Yorker King’ Arshdeep Singh of death overs
Even though Brian Bennett played a stormy innings of 97 runs from one end, Arshdeep Singh kept the runs in check from the other end. Arshdeep, with his precise line-length and accurate yorkers, did not give the Zimbabwean batsmen a chance to open their hands. Along with providing initial success, he ensured India’s huge victory of 72 runs by stopping the pace of runs in the last overs.
Abhishek-Pandya scored half-centuries, Arshdeep took three wickets
With the explosive half-centuries of openers Abhishek (55, 30 balls, four sixes, four fours) and Pandya (50 not out, 23 balls, four sixes, two fours), who returned to form, India scored 256 runs for four wickets, which is the second highest score in the history of the tournament and the highest score of the current tournament. Pandya played an important role in taking the team’s score beyond 250 runs by making an unbroken partnership of 84 runs in 31 balls for the fifth wicket with Tilak Verma (44 not out, 16 balls, four sixes, three fours). Earlier, Abhishek gave a solid platform to India by making a partnership of 48 runs for the first wicket with Sanju Samson (24) and 72 runs for the second wicket with Ishan Kishan (38). Captain Suryakumar Yadav (33) also played a useful innings. Arshdeep Singh was the most successful bowler who took three wickets for 24 runs.