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Hardik Pandya powered India to 72-run over Zimbabwe at MA Chidambaram Stadium, while keeping track of South Africa’s win over West Indies.
Hardik Pandya was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ as India beat Zimbabwe (AP)
Hardik Pandya revealed that the Indian cricket team had one eye on South Africa’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 8 clash against West Indies, before they took on Zimbabwe on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.
“Obviously, South Africa and West Indies game was, all of us were keeping an eye fixed,” Hardik Pandya said after India’s 72-run win over Zimbabwe. South Africa thrashed West Indies by 9 wickets. With India’s win, South Africa booked their post within the semi-final.
Asked if that game had any effect on their match, he said: “, now it’s all about playing good cricket, backing your skill set, you understand, sort of absorbing the pressure and, ensuring that you simply put the perfect foot forward. So yeah, definitely we were keeping an eye fixed, but at the identical point of time, once the sport got over, we focused that that is our game. We’d like to concentrate on this.”
Hardik Smashes 23-Ball Fifty
Hardik Pandya, together with Abhishek Sharma, struck blazing half-centuries to take India to a complete of 256 /4, the best rating of this edition.
Abhishek smashed a rapid 30-ball 55 to offer early momentum, adding 48 runs for the opening wicket with Sanju Samson (24) after Zimbabwe opted to bowl. Ishan Kishan (38) and Suryakumar Yadav (33) contributed quick runs before Pandya hammered an unbeaten 23-ball 50 on the death,
Tilak Varma contributed 44 not out from 14 balls as he and Pandya placed on an unbroken 84-run stand off just 31 deliveries.
“Pretty blissful. I mean, yeah, it sounds strange 23-ball 50, but I feel I needed to reassess within the situation as well. What I meant by that, I felt I used to be attempting to hit too hard. And just in the sport, I realised, I feel I can time the ball and hit sixes as well. So I feel for me, it was an excellent game to proceed the rhythm because I feel a few games I had which I couldn’t do what I desired to do. So really satisfied,” Hardik said on his batting.
Hardik Bowls After Match
In response, Brian Bennett top-scored with an unbeaten 97, but Zimbabwe were restricted to 184 for six of their 20 overs.
India pacer Arshdeep Singh was probably the most successful bowler with figures of three for twenty-four.
Although Hardik went wicketless, he was blissful along with his bowling — giving freely just 21 runs from his three overs.
“Pretty good. I feel I like bowling with a brand new ball. It swings. I mean, God has been kind. I even have the skillset of bowling in swing, out swing each. So I actually enjoy. I feel it gives me the chance to take wickets as well. It challenges the batter as well. So yeah, pretty satisfied,” Hardik said.
“I still should bowl my one over, which I’m going to go after this,” he added, before jogging off to bowl after the match.
(With inputs from Agencies)
February 26, 2026, 23:39 IST
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