A highly confident Zimbabwe cricket team will take on defending champions and co-hosts India of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Will Chevron be able to continue their momentum, or will this be a reality check for them?
The following article contains a detailed preview of the India vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup match. The article will include their probable playing XI, best probable player, head-to-head record and game telecast details, as well as weather and pitch report at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup Match Preview:
Match Date: India vs Zimbabwe match will be played on Thursday 26th February.
Venue: The match will be held at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Timing: The match is scheduled to start at 7.00 PM IST.
IND vs ZIM Full Squad:
India national cricket team: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dubey, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakraborty, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Rinku Singh.
Zimbabwe national cricket team: Alexander Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maphosa, Tadivanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarawa and Ben Curran.
IND vs ZIM Probable XI:
India’s playing 11: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shivam Dubey, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
Zimbabwe’s playing 11: Brian Bennett, Tadivanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (captain), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani.
Key battles of IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup match:
1. Abhishek Sharma vs Blessing Muzarabani:
While Zimbabwean fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been consistently taking wickets since his first match of the tournament, India opener Abhishek Sharma has scaled new heights in his international career. The Super 8 match against Zimbabwe could be the ideal platform for the southpaw to showcase his old form. Like the United States, Pakistan and the Netherlands, Zimbabwe will be no exception for Sharma. They will prepare themselves with proper planning for the high-profile match.
2. Ishan Kishan vs Graeme Cremer:
Ishan Kishan’s explosive form has become an important issue for Team India. During the group stage, teams might have prepared for Abhishek Sharma, but Ishan Kishan destroyed them. Graeme Cremer, one of the cornerstones of Zimbabwe’s current team, will use all his experience to help his team get rid of the aggressive opener as soon as possible.
3. Sikandar Raza vs Varun Chakraborty:
Zimbabwe cricket team captain Sikandar Raza is the heartbeat of the team. The batsman, who has played in every corner of the planet through various franchise leagues, is well-versed with the conditions in the subcontinent and knows how to handle some of the top bowlers in the format. Raza is expected to come face to face with Varun Chakraborty. If Varun is successful in dismissing Raza early, then Zimbabwe cricket team will immediately be on the back foot.
IND vs ZIM Key Players:
India’s key players: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy.
Zimbabwe’s key players: Brian Bennett, Tadivanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza, Graeme Cremer and Blessing Muzarabani.
IND vs ZIM Live Streaming and Broadcast:
IND vs ZIM broadcast in India: The India vs Zimbabwe match will be telecast live on Star Sports Network across India.
Online Live Streaming in India: ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches can be live streamed on Jio HotStar app with an active subscription.
India national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team T20 World Cup match weather and pitch report—India:
IND vs ZIM weather report in Chennai:
At present, there is no forecast of rain during the match in Chennai on 26th February. The sky will remain clear throughout the day. In the evening, when the match will be going on, the temperature is expected to be around 25 degrees Celsius.
IND vs ZIM Pitch Report at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai:
Spinners may love Chennai pitch; Batsmen may have to work hard for every boundary. Of all the venues for the ongoing T20 World Cup, the Chidambaram Stadium has historically not been among the high-scoring grounds. If the team batting first somehow reaches between 180 to 190, then it will be a tough challenge for the team batting second.
IND vs ZIM Head-to-Head Record:
From 2010 to 2024, India and Zimbabwe faced each other in 13 T20 matches. Of those thirteen matches, Zimbabwe won only 3, and India ruled the rivalry with 10 wins. In the last edition of the T20 World Cup, India had faced Zimbabwe once and had also won the match.
| match | IND won | zim won | Tied up | Drag | no results |
| overall | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| in the last 5 matches | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| In T20 World Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
IND vs ZIM Last 5 Match Results:
1. India vs Zimbabwe – 14 July 2024 India won by 42 runs.
2. India vs Zimbabwe – 13 July 2024 India won by 10 wickets.
3. India vs Zimbabwe – 10 July 2024 India won by 23 runs.
4. India vs Zimbabwe – 7 July 2024 India won by 100 runs.
5. India vs Zimbabwe – 6 July 2024 Zimbabwe won by 13 runs.
IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup Match—Conclusion:
Zimbabwe emerged as a surprise in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. In the group stage, they not only defeated Australia, but also eliminated tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka in Colombo. Sikandar Raza and his team gain momentum, but can they keep it going? Statistics are showing that India can be the winner on 26th February.
read more: Suryakumar Yadav gives update on Sanju Samson, addresses criticism on Tilak Verma’s sluggish batting
