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Team India, on Sunday, defeated Zimbabwe by 71 runs at Melbourne Cricket Ground to claim the top spot in the Group 2. With the victory, the Men in Blue will now be facing England in the second semi-final at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, November 10.
Batting first, the Men in Blue posted a humungous 186/5 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to impressive batting from KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav. Rahul smashed his second fifty in as many innings and took India close to 100 before falling for 51 in the 13th over.
The hero of the night, however, was Suryakumar, who powered took Zimbabwe bowlers to the cleaners, justifying his ‘Mr 360’ tag with some unbelievable shots all across the ground. Surya stayed unbeaten on 61 from just 25 deliveries, including 6 fours and 4 sixes.
In reply, the Zimbabweans got off to a terrible start as two of their top-three batters got out for ducks against the Indian new-ball swing bowlers. The Chevrons could not recover from there as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were bundled out for 115 in 17.2 overs, losing the contest by 71 runs.
Ravichandran Ashwin (3/22) picked up the maximum three wickets, while Mohammed Shami (2/14) and Hardik Pandya (2/16) bagged two scalps each.
“The atmosphere in the team is very nice, and the build-up to the knockouts has been very nice. My plan is always clear. I’m not trying anything different. I bat the same way in the nets as well,” said Suryakumar in the post-match presentation.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
SKY's the limit 🔥
For his breathtaking 25-ball 61*, Suryakumar Yadav is the @aramco POTM ⭐#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/66N2OFUECS
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) November 6, 2022
For his breathtaking batting pyrotechnics, @surya_14kumar bagged the Player of the Match award as #TeamIndia beat Zimbabwe by 7⃣1⃣ runs at the MCG👏 👏
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/shiBY8Kmge #T20WorldCup | #INDvZIM pic.twitter.com/k236XjavDv
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 6, 2022
Solid performance ✅
Onto the semis 🇮🇳 💪 pic.twitter.com/mgnmo8mnmJ— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) November 6, 2022
Easy win for India. Surya adds light to this team.
But this Sunday will be remembered for South Africa’s elimination. #INDvsZIM pic.twitter.com/OWZXwvyE1V— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 6, 2022
➡️#semifinals 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/1mxL8lSrpL
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) November 6, 2022
Congratulations #TeamIndia on a sensational win against Zimbabwe!! You've made the nation proud once again. Hats off to the fighting spirit and courage showed by every player. Onto the semi-finals. Well played boys!! 💪🇮🇳 #INDvsZIM #T20WorldCup2022
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) November 6, 2022
Clinical with the bat and ball today.
Special mention to SuryaKumar Yadav and Ashwin.
Congratulations Team India and best wishes for the semi-finals against England . #INDvsZIM pic.twitter.com/Ril1Z8PCry— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 6, 2022
India beat Zimbabwe by 71 runs.
Scorecard: https://t.co/uvMen9GJ0D#T20WorldCup #INDvZIM pic.twitter.com/Y94wsBwyqv— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 6, 2022
A blistering batting show 🔥
A clinical bowling performance 🤩#TeamIndia 🔝 Group 2 and set up a semi-final clash with 🏴🤜💥🤛#INDvZIM #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/wzCMthjRx2— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) November 6, 2022
Group stage done ✅
On to the knockouts ➡️#INDvsZIM pic.twitter.com/dUoqmlhnUQ— DK (@DineshKarthik) November 6, 2022
Well who would have thought after the ride we've been on – we have our 4 semi-finalists! NZ v Pak and Eng v Ind. Can't wait ❤️❤️ #T20WorldCup
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) November 6, 2022
Lehra do… 🇮🇳
📸: BCCI | #INDvZIM #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/dmIxTowJ6l
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 6, 2022
Performance of Indian Top 5 in the T20 World Cup 2022. pic.twitter.com/8ce2rIKz5b
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 6, 2022
The Carom Master and his game of twists! 💥#Whistle4Blue #INDvZIM pic.twitter.com/rRRYSbFjN0
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 6, 2022
Both semi-finals mouthwatering but especially the second. The nation with the most popular and loved franchise competition on the planet up against India.
— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) November 6, 2022