Team India bounced back from their defeat against South Africa by massacring Zimbabwe on Thursday evening at Chepauk.
Earlier in the day, the Proteas beat the West Indies, who had previously recorded a thumping win over Sikandar Raza’s side, to become the first team from Group 1 of the Super 8 round to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
South Africa’s win over Shai Hope’s team worked in favor of Team India, as now the Men in Blue have their fate back in their hands, with every game being a virtual knockout.
India grabbed their opportunity to thrash Zimbabwe by 72 runs in Chennai. This means that Sunday’s India vs West Indies encounter, which will be played in Kolkata, will be a direct shootout match for a place in the semis.
South Africa played well and we will try to beat them in the finals: Arshdeep Singh
While India have not yet sealed their semis spot and two semi-finalists are yet to be decided, it seems that Arshdeep Singh’s mind has already skipped to the final of the tournament. Speaking of the environment in the team hotel during the South Africa vs West Indies match, Arshdeep was joined by his father.
During the conversation, the left-arm seamer revealed that he told his father that India will reach the final, and so will South Africa. In the final, which will be played in Ahmedabad, the hosts will trounce the Proteas, Arshdeep predicted.
In a conversation after the India vs Zimbabwe match, Arshdeep revealed the anecdote of his father’s reactions during the SA vs WI clash.
Arshdeep Singh was quoted as saying by the Times Of India, “My family was in the room and when the West Indies batters were hitting. Papa gaali dete the ki kya kar raha hai. So I was like, ‘it’s okay, don’t be angry, and just enjoy the match and hope South Africa win and we also win our remaining matches.’”
The speedster thanked Aiden Markram for beating West Indies but confidently added that the two teams will reach the final and repeat the result of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
“If we play good cricket, the result will take care of itself. Well played to them and thank you to them as well for giving us the chance to decide our result. They played well and now we will try to beat them in the finals,” he added.
In the IND vs ZIM match, Arshdeep broke the back of Zimbabwe’s middle order. He was India’s best bowler on show on Thursday, returning with outstanding figures of 3/24 in a high-scoring encounter. Arshdeep’s victims were Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, and Tony Munyonga.
With this three-wicket haul, Arshdeep became India’s highest wicket-taker in men’s ICC T20 World Cup history, going past Bumrah, who has 33 wickets. Arshdeep now sits at the top among Indian bowlers in T20 World Cup with 35 wickets in 19 innings, taken at an average of 14.25.
T20 World Cup: When and where is India vs West Indies match?
The India vs West Indies match is scheduled for Sunday, March 1, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This is a virtual quarter-final – the winner will advance to the semi-final, and the loser will be eliminated.
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