Melbourne: India took their engagements in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 to its logical conclusion with a 71-run win over Zimbabwe at the packed Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
The result of the match was in no real doubt considering the gulf between the two teams in terms of quality. But there was that bit of curiosity as to how Indians would approach this match even as they had already confirmed a spot in the semifinals.
No laxity
But there was no hint of laxity as India, who now top the group with 8 points, went about their task in a professional manner. Now, they will face England in the second semifinal match on November 10 at the Adelaide Oval.
Pakistan will clash with New Zealand in the first semifinal a day earlier at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
India made a rather slow start and lost a wicket inside the Power Play segment as it has been the case throughout this tournament. Once again, it was captain Rohit Sharma who fell early as his skied offering off Blessing Muzarabani ended in the hands of Wellington Masakadza near square leg.
But KL Rahul and Virat Kohli ensured that India will have a smooth sailing for a few overs coming. Rahul, who started the tournament at such a diffident note, now looks a far more assured presence in the middle and hardly resembles that batter who seemed disinterested in the proceedings around him.
He reached 50, his second successive of the tournament, with a well-timed six off spinner Sikandar Raza but as it had happened at Adelaide, Rahul could not kick on after reaching 50.
Rahul attempted a similar shot over long-off but could not clear Masakadza, exiting for 51. Rishabh Pant, who came in for the rested Dinesh Karthik, departed early and a small period of lull followed.
India had two explosive batters at the crease in Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya but they could score only 28 runs in the subsequent five overs. But Suryakumar soon slotted himself into overdrive and unfurled shots all around the park, using those exemplary power and timing.
Clear plan
“I think the plan was very clear when me and Hardik were batting. He said let's take the positive route and see where we end up. We started hitting the ball well and never stopped till the 20th over,” said Suryakumar.
Runs flowed like cascade and India reached the 180 mark at the end of 20 overs. Once they reached that healthy total, it was obvious that the last vestige of hope Zimbabwe might have cherished for an upset was also snuffed out. From thereon, it was a case of margin of India’s victory and it arrived handsomely too.
Bigger challenges ahead
Now, it’s the semis time for India and Rohit understood the challenge ahead of him.
“The key for us will be to adjust quickly to the conditions. We have played a game there (in Adelaide), but we need to adjust quickly. England are a good team,” he said.
Brace then for an explosive clash.
Brief Scores
India: 186/5 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 51, Suryakumar Yadav 61 not out; Sean Williams 2/9) beat
Zimbabwe: 115 all out in 17.2 overs (Ryan Burl 35, Sikandar Raza 34; Ravichandran Ashwin 3/22)
