Chennai, February 26 India remained firmly on track for a big win over Zimbabwe, keeping their Super Eights hopes alive in the T20 World Cup, here on Thursday.
At the end of 15 overs, Zimbabwe were 131/2 in pursuit of a challenging target of 257, still needing 126 runs from the final five overs.
Opener Brian Bennett remained unbeaten on 78 from 48 balls (6x4, 5x6), bringing up his third fifty of this T20 World Cup, while Sikandar Raza was batting on 19 (14b; 1x4, 1x6).
Bennett smashed two sixes and two fours off Shivam Dube, who conceded 26 runs in a wayward 15th over that stretched to 10 deliveries.
Returning to the XI, Indian vice-captain Axar Patel struck in his opening over, dismissing Tadiwanashe Marumani who failed to capitalize on a reprieve by Rinku Singh in the previous over and was out for 20.
Varun Chakravarthy also got a breakthrough, dismissing Dion Myers for 6.
Earlier, Abhishek Sharma was back at his explosive best with a 30-ball 55 (4x4, 4x6), while Hardik Pandya bludgeoned a 23-ball unbeaten fifty (2x4, 4x6) as India amassed 256/4 after Zimbabwe opted to bowl.
This was India's highest total in T20 World Cup history and the highest ever recorded in this tournament.
