When Zimbabwe faced India in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup 2022, fans were expecting a high-voltage game. India had already shown strong form in the tournament, but Zimbabwe had the heart to surprise. With upsets already part of this World Cup, nothing could be taken for granted.
The match was played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). A full crowd turned up, eager to see a strong Indian side and a Zimbabwe team known for spirited performances.
If you missed the live action, don’t worry. We’ll take you through the complete scorecard, standout performances, turning points, and what this match means for both teams moving forward. From top scores to smart bowling and post-match reactions, this breakdown covers it all.
Match Summary
Toss and Team Decisions
India won the toss and chose to bat first. The pitch looked firm and ideal for setting a target. Rohit Sharma felt that scoreboard pressure would work in their favor, especially under lights.
Key Moments of the Match
India got off to a cautious start, but things picked up quickly thanks to a dominant middle order. Suryakumar Yadav once again dazzled with creative shot-making. Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to contain him in the death overs.
Chasing 187, Zimbabwe never really found its rhythm. India’s pace attack was relentless, and the spinners kept the pressure on. The wickets kept falling, and the chase collapsed well before the finish line.
Full Scorecard – T20 World Cup 2022
India National Cricket Team Innings
|
Batsman |
Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|
KL Rahul |
51 | 35 | 3 | 3 | 145.7 |
|
Rohit Sharma (c) |
15 | 13 | 1 | 1 |
115.3 |
| Virat Kohli | 26 | 25 | 2 | 0 |
104.0 |
|
Suryakumar Yadav |
61* | 25 | 6 | 4 | 244.0 |
| Rishabh Pant | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
60.0 |
| Hardik Pandya | 18 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
138.5 |
Extras: 12
Total: 186/5 in 20 overs
Top Zimbabwe Bowlers:
|
Bowler |
Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|
Blessing Muzarabani |
4 | 34 | 1 | 8.5 |
| Sean Williams | 3 | 25 | 1 |
8.3 |
| Richard Ngarava | 4 | 44 | 1 |
11.0 |
Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Innings
|
Batsman |
Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|
Wesley Madhevere |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Craig Ervine (c) | 13 | 15 | 2 | 0 |
86.7 |
| Regis Chakabva | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
0.00 |
|
Sean Williams |
11 | 18 | 1 | 0 |
61.1 |
|
Sikandar Raza |
34 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 141.7 |
| Ryan Burl | 35 | 22 | 5 | 1 |
159.1 |
Extras: 15
Total: 115 all out in 17.2 overs
Top Indian Bowlers:
|
Bowler |
Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 4 | 23 | 3 |
5.75 |
|
Mohammad Shami |
3 | 22 | 2 | 7.33 |
| Hardik Pandya | 3 | 16 | 2 |
5.33 |
Fall of Wickets
India
- 1st: Rohit Sharma – 27/1 (4.2 overs)
- 2nd: KL Rahul – 87/2 (11.2 overs)
- 3rd: Virat Kohli – 95/3 (12.5 overs)
- 4th: Rishabh Pant – 101/4 (13.5 overs)
- 5th: Hardik Pandya – 154/5 (18.2 overs)
Zimbabwe
- 1st: Madhevere – 0/1 (0.1 overs)
- 2nd: Chakabva – 2/2 (1.2 overs)
- 3rd: Ervine – 20/3 (4.2 overs)
- 4th: Williams – 36/4 (7.2 overs)
- 5th: Raza – 87/5 (13.3 overs)
- 6th–10th: Collapsed quickly in the last 4 overs
Top Performers
India
- Suryakumar Yadav: He stole the show with a 61* off just 25 balls. His creativity and control over the game made a big difference.
- Ashwin: Picked three wickets and bowled smartly on a surface that didn’t offer much spin.
- KL Rahul: A solid half-century up top ensured a platform for acceleration.
Zimbabwe
- Ryan Burl: Showed fight with his quick 35. He was one of the few who looked comfortable.
- Sikandar Raza: Carried his form with the bat and bowled a decent spell.
- Ngarava: Though expensive, he managed a breakthrough at a crucial stage.
Match Statistics
Team Comparison Table
|
Metric |
India | Zimbabwe |
|
Runs |
186 | 115 |
|
Wickets Lost |
5 | 10 |
| Run Rate | 9.3 |
6.63 |
| Highest Partnership | 65 runs |
48 runs |
| Extras | 12 |
15 |
Post-Match Reactions
Captains’ Comments
Rohit Sharma praised the team’s overall balance and said Suryakumar’s knock gave them a total well above par. He also mentioned how the bowlers did well to never let Zimbabwe settle.
Craig Ervine admitted the team fell short and needed more stability up front. He appreciated the effort from the middle order but acknowledged that the powerplay ruined their chances.
Expert and Commentator Views
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan tweeted, “SKY is on another planet! Unbelievable range. A true match-winner.”
Commentator Harsha Bhogle called it a “complete performance from India,” highlighting how the team didn’t rely on one department alone.
Social Media Buzz
Fans on Twitter flooded timelines with praise for Suryakumar’s innings. Memes celebrating India’s bowling attack and SKY’s sixes trended for hours. Zimbabwe also received some love for their World Cup journey and brave efforts.
Conclusion
This match was more than just another group stage encounter. It showed India’s intent and firepower, especially with players like Suryakumar Yadav peaking at the right time. Zimbabwe fought hard but couldn’t recover from early blows.
For fans, this game had it all—fifties, fireworks, spin magic, and fielding highlights. If you’re an Indian fan, this was a perfect way to sign off the group stage. And if you support Zimbabwe, there were still sparks to be proud of.
