Suryakumar Yadav smashed a 23-ball half-century as India topped Group 2 with a 71-run win over Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Yadav scored 61 not out off 25 balls as India finished with 186-5 in 20 overs.
In reply, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 115 in 17.2 overs, with Ravichandran Ashwin returning figures of 3-22. Hardik Pandya (2-16) and Mohammed Shami (2-14) shared four wickets.
With the Super 12s completed, India finished as Group 2 winners to set up a semifinal clash with England in Adelaide on Thursday.
Earlier on Sunday, South Africa crashed out of the tournament following a stunning loss to the Netherlands in Adelaide, allowing Pakistan to slip into the semifinals. Pakistan beat Bangladesh by five wickets, also at the Adelaide Oval.
New Zealand will take on Pakistan in the first semifinal in Sydney on Wednesday.
At the MCG, India had won the toss and opted to bat first. Rohit Sharma’s poor run of form continued and he was out for 15.
Lokesh Rahul scored a second consecutive half-century as he and Virat Kohli (26) put on 60 off 48 balls for the second wicket.
Rahul scored 51 off 35 balls, including three fours and three sixes.
India then lost their way in the middle overs, losing three wickets for 14 runs. Rahul, Kohli and Rishabh Pant (3) were all dismissed in the space of 10 deliveries, as India reached 101-4 in 13.3 overs.
Yadav then took centre stage as he smacked India’s fourth quickest half-century in T20s. He hit six fours and four sixes to accelerate the scoring.
He put on 65 runs off 35 balls with Hardik Pandya (18) for the fifth wicket. India scored 59 runs in the last four overs.
Yadav was named player of the match for his scintillating knock.
In reply, Zimbabwe struggled to get going against India’s pacers. They were reduced to 36-5 in 7.3 overs. Wesley Madhevere and Regis Chakabva were out for ducks while Craig Ervine and Sean Williams only managed to score 13 and 11, respectively.
Sikandar Raza put up some resistance with 34 off 24 balls before he was out caught off Pandya.
Ryan Burl hit five fours and a six to score 35 off 22 balls.
Ashwin then struck late to pick up three wickets in 10 balls to help finish off the match.
New Zealand and England qualified as the top two sides in Group 1. The final is scheduled for November 13 at the MCG.
Source: United News of Bangladesh