Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in their Super Eight T20 World Cup 2026 clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav welcomed the decision, saying his team wanted to bat first anyway.
Both sides entered the contest in must‑win situations. India, after winning all four group stage matches, suffered a heavy 76‑run defeat to South Africa in Ahmedabad. They now need victories in both remaining matches to qualify for the semi‑finals. Zimbabwe, who stunned Australia and Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament, also face elimination after a 101‑run loss to West Indies.
India’s playing XI features Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Zimbabwe’s lineup includes Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava.
India and Zimbabwe last faced each other in India across formats in March 2002. Zimbabwe have beaten India three times in T20Is, while India hold 13 wins.
