India can’t afford to put a foot wrong after losing their first Super Eight match against South Africa. In order to stay in contention for the semis of the T20 World Cup 2026, the Suryakumar-led team needs to win their remaining two games in the Super Eight stage.
With a struggling top-order, India would have their task cut out on Thursday against a spirited Zimbabwe side who beat Australia in the group stage. India are expected to make changes to their playing XI with Rinku Singh having flown back home due to personal reasons and in his place Sanju Samson would return. The Kerala batter’s inclusion would help break that left-hander sequence in the top order.
Axar Patel who sat out in the South Africa game would replace Washington Sundar. MA Chidambaram in Chennai has traditionally helped spinners but not quite significantly in this World Cup. The black-soil being used has offered grip for the spinners but not that much of turn.
The top-order’s struggle has also affected how Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube are playing down the order. Their approach has been conservative and on couple of instances bailing the team by playing match-saving innings. It is crucial for India that Abhishek Sharma finds form which would allow Tilak Varma to play his natural game. There are chances that skipper Suryakumar may bat at No. 3 and Tilak dropping to No. 4.
Coming to scenarios on how India can qualify to the last-four stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. If India win both matches, they will be assured of qualification to the semis if South Africa win both their remaining matches against West Indies and Zimbabwe or if they lose both. If South Africa beat West Indies and lose to Zimbabwe, India would still progress to the semis without the net run-rate coming into consideration.
But if South Africa lose to West Indies and beat Zimbabwe, then South Africa, India and West Indies will be level on four points. In such a scenario, net run-rate (NRR) will come into play and India’s NRR is not so great after the 76-run drubbing they had at the hands of South Africa.
Head-to-head: India vs Zimbabwe in T20Is
India and Zimbabwe have played against each other 13 times, mostly in bilateral series. The match on Thursday would be their second meeting in a T20 World Cup. The last time both teams clashed was in the 2022 edition of the tournament.
Total matches: 13
India won: 10
Zimbabwe won: 3
No result: 0
India vs Zimbabwe: Pitch report
In all probability the match would be played on pitch No. 5, which would be the centre wicket. The black-soil track is expected to offer some grip for the spinners but not assist too much turn. Being the centre wicket there would be no concern of short boundaries for the spinners. The par score on this track has been 180-190 in this tournament.
India vs Zimbabwe: Weather report
The weather in Chennai looks perfect for cricket with clear skies and no rain forecast for the match. The game, which begins at 7 PM IST, could see temperatures ranging between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius. It is likely to be quite humid as well, with humidity levels expected to go beyond 70 per cent.
India vs Zimbabwe: Probable XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.
FAQs
When will the T20 World Cup 2026 India vs Zimbabwe match be played?
The T20 World Cup 2026 India vs Zimbabwe match is scheduled to take place on February 26.
What time does the T20 World Cup 2026 India vs Zimbabwe match start?
The T20 World Cup 2026 India vs Zimbabwe clash will begin at 7:00 PM IST.
What time is the toss for the T20 World Cup 2026 India vs Zimbabwe match?
The toss for the T20 World Cup 2026 India vs Zimbabwe match will be held at 6:30 PM IST, 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
Where will the T20 World Cup 2026 India vs Zimbabwe match be played?
The T20 World Cup 2026 India vs Zimbabwe match will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Where can fans watch the T20 World Cup 2026 India vs Zimbabwe match live?
The T20 World Cup 2026 India vs Zimbabwe match can be streamed live on JioHotstar, while the live telecast will be available on Star Sports Network TV channels.
