T20 World Cup, IND vs ZIM: India swat aside Zimbabwe without breaking a sweat

Suryakumar Yadav slammed a fine fifty [Source: AP]

Riding on Suryakumar Yadav's scintillating fifty and a superb effort from the bowlers, India handed Zimbabwe a crushing 71-run defeat in their final Super 12 fixture in Melbourne. The Men in Blue will lock horns with England in the second semifinal in Adelaide on Thursday. 

Rahul and SKY stand tall as India post a mammoth total

After electing to bat, India got off to a decent start, with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul adding 27 runs for the first wicket. After Rohit fell prey to Blessing Muzarabani for a 15, Rahul stitched a crucial 60-run stand with former skipper Virat Kohli. While Rahul smashed a breathtaking 35-ball 51, Kohli contributed handy 26 runs before being dismissed by Sean Williams in the 12th over. 

Suryakumar Yadav played a magnificent knock [Source: AP]

However, Suryakumar Yadav came out with all guns blazing and slammed a blistering 61*, ensuring a fitting finish for India. Fondly hailed as India's Mr 360, Suryakumar hammered six fours and four sixes during his 25-ball stay. His monumental effort propelled India to a massive 186 at the end of 20 overs. 

Sean Williams emerged as Zimbabwe's best bowler, scalping two wickets for nine runs in his two-over spell. 

Zimbabwe fall like a pack of cards

India didn't take too long to bring Zimbabwe down on the mat, as the Indian pacers quickly claimed five Zimbabwean wickets through their fuming thunderbolts. While Wesley Madhevere and Regis Chakabva couldn't open their account, Craig Ervine and Sean Williams departed for 13 and 11, respectively. 

Ravichandran Ashwin celebrating a dismissal [Source: AP]

However, the dynamic duo of Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl executed a commendable rescue act, stitching a counterattacking stand of 60 runs for the sixth wicket. While Raza contributed 34, Burl smashed five fours and one six for his blazing 22-ball 35. 

But Ravichandran Ashwin got rid of Burl, Wellington Masakadza and Ngarava, pushing Zimbabwe on the verge of defeat. Soon, Raza, too, made his way back to the dugout, as Zimbabwe were eventually bundled out for 115 with 16 balls to spare. 

Brief Scores

India: 186/5 (20)
Suryakumar Yadav 61* (25), KL Rahul 51 (35);
Sean Williams 2/9 (2), Sikandar Raza 1/18 (3)

Zimbabwe: 115 (17.2)
Ryan Burl 35 (22), Sikandar Raza 34 (24);
Ravichandran Ashwin 3/22 (4), Mohammad Shami 2/14 (2)

India won by 71 runs. 

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