Ahmedabad erupted in cheers as India unleashed a six-hitting frenzy against Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super-8 stage, registering their highest-ever 17 sixes in a single innings. Batting first at Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday, the hosts racked up 256/4, leaving the opposition shell-shocked.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma ignited the innings with a fiery 48-run opening partnership in 3.4 overs. Samson’s 24 gave way to a dynamic duo with Ishan Kishan, adding 72 runs in 42 balls to reach 120. Kishan’s 38 off 24 (five boundaries) complemented Abhishek’s match-defining 55 off 30, boasting four sixes and four fours.
At 172/4 after 14.5 overs, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma turned the screw. Their explosive 84-run unfinished stand in 31 balls featured Hardik’s unbeaten half-century (50 off 23, six boundaries) and Tilak’s 44* off 16 (four sixes, three fours). The six tally: four each from Abhishek, Hardik, and Tilak; two from Suryakumar Yadav and Samson; one from Kishan.
This surpasses India’s prior mark of 15 sixes vs Australia in 2024. In T20 World Cup history, West Indies (19 vs Zimbabwe, 2026) and Netherlands (19 vs Ireland, 2014) top the charts, with Australia at 16 vs India (2010). Zimbabwe’s attack – Ngarava, Muzarabani, Maposa, and Raza (one wicket apiece) – struggled to contain the onslaught.
India’s record-breaking knock not only secures a formidable total but signals their intent in the Super-8s, blending aggression with strategy for a potential title charge.