Arshdeep Singh (Getty Images)

CHENNAI: There is an infectious aura around Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm pacer can be cut-throat with his yorkers and swing on the field, but off it, he is a ball of energy.Here in Chepauk on Thursday night, Arshdeep was in ominous touch, swinging the ball both ways and keeping Zimbabwe’s batters on a tight leash. He picked up three wickets and went past Jasprit Bumrah to become India’s leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history with 35 scalps. And after helping India drub Zimbabwe, Arshdeep showed a different shade of himself from his menacing on-field persona at the media zone. Most of his replies were full of beans.

One such reply came when he was asked about South Africa’s win over West Indies earlier in the day, which had already eased India’s path. Grinning, he offered a playful “thank you” to the Proteas and even shared how the tension had played out back in the hotel room.“We weren’t glued to the match but kept checking the scores here and there. My family was in the hotel room and when the West Indies batters were hitting, my dad was cursing them. I said, ‘Don’t get angry, just enjoy the match, and hope that South Africa win’. They (SA) played very well, thank you to them for giving us the chance to decide our result in the next match. It was fun to watch, and we’ll try to beat them in the final,” Arshdeep said.India’s next fixture against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens will be a virtual quarterfinal, and Arshdeep knows it won’t be a straightforward affair. The Caribbean side’s power-hitters can change the script in the blink of an eye and he was quick to point out that they are not merely one-dimensional. Windies, after all, clawed their way to a competitive total despite being down to 83-7 against South Africa on Thursday.

“It’s not like they have only one gear. If you look at their game against SA, they played really nicely in the middle as well. They took the game deep and then made around 180 runs. So I guess they can also adapt according to the situation. Looking forward to the game, we’ll see how the pitch plays and what the conditions are like. The focus right now is on recovery, and we’ll assess things on game day,” said Arshdeep.One thing Arshdeep will be focused on against West Indies come Sunday is, in his own words, “trying to control the chull (urge) of bowling bad balls (laughs)”. And he went on to add that he and his fellow bowlers are happy to do the “dirty job” on batting-friendly surfaces.“As long as our batters are having fun batting on these surfaces, we’re more than happy to do the dirty job. We don’t mind being hit for runs. Our game plan has been to score big and then try to defend it,” said the 27-year-old.

Abhishek Sharma (AFP Photo)

CHENNAI: It’s finally firing just when it matters. The Indian top-order, which left a lot to be desired until now, came into its own on a batting beauty at the MA Chidambaram Stadium against a pedestrian Zimbabwe attack on Thursday. With West Indies looming next at Eden Gardens on Sunday, there is bound to be a sense of relief in the camp.To start with, Abhishek Sharma got going, and the recycled opening partnership with Sanju Samson smashed 48 off 22 balls, which set the tone for the massive total of 256 for 4. Abhishek, during the course of his 30-ball 55, got his runs at a strike rate of 183.3, but he seemed to cut down on his recklessness. The lefthander’s bat swing is one of the best in the business, so it is not always necessary for him to try and generate extra power. On Thursday, he looked to time the ball more than strive for power and played the ball a lot straighter, making run-scoring look easy and relatively risk-free.

Explaining his unhurried approach, the southpaw said: “I just wanted to spend some time on the pitch. So far, I haven’t batted 10-12 balls. I want to thank my team; they backed me and reminded me that my time will come,” Abhishek said.While Abhishek getting runs was a good sign before the must-win West Indies game, Sanju’s 24-run cameo, too, came in for praise. Firstly, the left-right combination was a welcome shift, and Zimbabwe couldn’t use one of their off-spinners right at the beginning of the Powerplay. Tilak Varma, who had to come down to No 6 because Ishan Kishan took his place at No 3, felt Sanju’s innings was important in India’s batting resurgence.“It’s important that openers give a good start; Nos 3, 4 and 5 can come out with confidence when it happens. Sanju did that brilliantly today, and it was followed by others,” the southpaw said.Tilak spoke about a change in approach by the batters ahead of the game that made a difference. According to the 23-year-old, it was coach Gautam Gambhir who sat with the batters and told them to go in with the mindset that helped them play so well in T20Is over the last year-and-a-half.“We wanted to put fear in the mind of the opposition; we wanted them to realise that we’re coming for them, even if we lost a wicket… Gautam sir reminded us of the brand of cricket we played last year and against New Zealand and South Africa prior to the World Cup. So, whatever the situation, as individuals, our plan was to go out there, smile and enjoy the game,” Tilak said.No. 6 is a position where Tilak hasn’t batted too much recently. He always enjoys a little bit of time in the middle, but following an indifferent patch at No 3, the team wanted him to take up the finisher’s role. More so, with Rinku Singh looking unlikely for the rest of the tournament following the death of his father. Tilak said he didn’t mind it at all, because “it’s all about the team’s cause”.“I played that role for India as well as Mumbai Indians a few times. So, I’m up for it. This game is about adjusting according to the situation… I was just waiting for one good innings, and it came at the right time. I am pretty confident going forward that I can win games for the team,” Tilak said about his 16-ball 44.Another player who batted with flourish was Hardik Pandya. His 23-ball 50 and economical three-over spell earned him the Player-of-TheMatch award.“It was an innings where I had to reassess my style. Initially, I was trying to hit the ball too hard. Then I realised I could time the ball and did that. Now it’s about keeping our skillset and putting our best foot forward,” Pandya said.

England’s captain Harry Brook (left) and New Zealand’s captain Mitchel Santner (right) shake shands before the coin toss of the T20 World Cup cricket match between England and New Zealand in Colombo on February 27, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP

Indian players celebrate after winning their T20 World Cup 2026 match against Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26, 2026
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Shivam Dube, left, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: The uncertainty surrounding India’s campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has finally cleared. After a dramatic round of Super 8 matches, the defending champions now have a straightforward path to the knockouts.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!South Africa’s commanding nine-wicket win over West Indies in Ahmedabad confirmed the Proteas’ place in the semi-finals from Group 1. Later in the day, India strengthened their position with a resounding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in Chennai.With Zimbabwe eliminated and South Africa already through, the final Group 1 clash between India and West Indies at Eden Gardens on Sunday has effectively turned into a virtual quarterfinal.

India Semifinal Qualification Scenario

The equation is simple: India must beat the West Indies to qualify for the semi-finals.Both teams currently sit on two points from two matches. The winner of Sunday’s encounter will join South Africa in the last four.There is, however, one small caveat. If the match is washed out due to rain — and there is no reserve day — West Indies would advance on the basis of a superior net run rate, knocking India out of the tournament. At present, though, there is no forecast suggesting weather disruption in Kolkata.In short, the calculators are back in the bag. For India, it is purely a win-and-progress scenario.

India’s qualification push gathered serious momentum after a batting masterclass against Zimbabwe. Posting 256/4 — the second-highest total in men’s T20 World Cup history — India entertained home fans with a barrage of sixes.Abhishek Sharma returned to form with a blistering half-century, while Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma provided a thunderous finish. Zimbabwe fought back through Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 97, but India’s bowlers ensured a comfortable victory.Earlier, South Africa’s clinical chase of 177 against West Indies reshaped the group. A rapid opening partnership between Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock made light work of the target, underlining why the Proteas remain unbeaten in the tournament.

West Indies’ captain Shai Hope, left, and South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram step out onto the field before the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between South Africa and West Indies in Ahmedabad, India, on February 26, 2026
| Photo Credit: AP

Sri Lanka cricket team (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former captain Kumar Sangakkara did not hide his anguish after Sri Lanka crashed out of the T20 World Cup, admitting there was “a lot of hurt all round” and warning that the nation risks falling behind if urgent changes are not made. Sri Lanka’s campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion with a heavy 61-run defeat to New Zealand in Colombo, leaving fans stunned and the cricket fraternity searching for answers.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Taking to social media after the elimination, Sangakkara captured the emotional devastation gripping the country and the dressing room.

“There is a lot of hurt all round. The fans are devastated, disappointed, and angry. The players are hurting badly too. I have been in similar dressing rooms. It’s not easy,” he wrote. He reminded players of the responsibility that comes with national duty, adding, “This responsibility comes with the turf. It’s a burden and a great privilege to represent your country and your people.”Sri Lanka’s exit was particularly painful as it came at home, where hopes were high of a deep run. After reducing New Zealand to 84/6, the hosts lost control as Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie revived the innings before their batting collapsed under pressure during the chase. The defeat sealed consecutive Super Eight losses and ended their semifinal hopes.However, Sangakkara stressed that the problems run deeper than one defeat. In a strongly worded warning, he said Sri Lanka must evolve with the changing demands of modern cricket. “There is a lot of work to be done at all levels to course correct. We can’t do the same things over and over and expect different results when the cricket world around us has evolved so quickly,” he wrote.His most striking line reflected his biggest fear for the future. “We haven’t adapted, and the danger is irrelevance.”

New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, right, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka, centre, during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo)

TimesofIndia.com in Colombo: New Zealand kept their T20 World Cup campaign alive with a commanding 61-run win over Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, a result shaped by composure under pressure with the bat, clinical precision with the ball, and an atmosphere driven relentlessly by Sri Lankan fans who refused to drift away even as the contest slipped beyond their team.Long after the outcome appeared inevitable, the stands remained full, the drums kept beating and the trumpets echoed through the Colombo night. Every boundary was still applauded, every piece of good fielding acknowledged. Wins or losses have never defined Sri Lankan fandom, and even as their World Cup campaign came to an end, the loyalty did not waver. Covering a Sri Lanka match is rarely just about cricket. It feels like a festival, and on this night, the celebration continued despite the pain.

Santner, McConchie turn the innings

Earlier, put in to bat on a surface that offered grip and variable bounce, the visitors began with intent. Finn Allen counterpunched sharply against Dilshan Madushanka, taking on the movement with instinctive aggression. But as quickly as the tempo rose, it dipped. Allen’s dismissal triggered a brief wobble, Tim Seifert followed soon after, and Sri Lanka sensed an opening.Rachin Ravindra brought fluency through the middle overs, rotating strike and finding the occasional boundary, but the introduction of spin shifted the balance decisively. Maheesh Theekshana, operating with subtle changes of pace and trajectory, strangled New Zealand’s scoring options. Ravindra fell attempting a cut hit too flat, Mark Chapman was undone by turn and bounce, and Daryl Mitchell was beaten by skid rather than spin. From a position of comfort at 75 for 2, New Zealand slid to 84 for 6 in the space of nine deliveries.It was here that Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie stepped in to rescue the innings. The approach was uncomplicated and clear-headed. Survival came first. Boundaries were not chased, singles were valued and dot balls were absorbed without panic. McConchie, playing his first major role of the tournament, broke a 33-ball boundary drought late in the 16th over with a crisp strike through the infield. The release was immediate. Santner followed by reading length early and targeting the shorter leg side boundary with authority. The momentum swing was sudden and decisive. Santner went after Theekshana, who had been Sri Lanka’s most economical bowler until then, muscling slog sweeps and punishing full tosses. McConchie matched him stroke for stroke, using clever bat angles and strong bottom-hand hits to exploit gaps behind square.What had begun as a recovery turned into a late surge. In the final four overs, the seventh-wicket pair plundered 70 runs, transforming New Zealand’s total from fragile to formidable. Santner’s 47 from 26 balls anchored the charge, while McConchie’s unbeaten 31 ensured there was no late collapse. Together, they added 84 in 47 deliveries and lifted New Zealand to a competitive 168 for 7.

Henry sets up the defence

In reply, Sri Lanka’s chase never truly found its feet and was disrupted from the first ball. Matt Henry bowled Pathum Nissanka with a delivery that jagged back to hit middle stump. It was a classic seam bowler’s dismissal and a psychological blow that stunned a full house.Henry followed it up with a wicket maiden and then struck again with the first ball of his second over, removing Charith Asalanka. Two overs, two wickets and just three runs conceded summed up his impact. Sri Lanka limped to 20 for 2 at the end of the powerplay, their lowest such total in the tournament, and the uphill climb became steeper with every over.The squeeze never eased. Lockie Ferguson’s pace added urgency without sacrificing control, while Santner and Ish Sodhi closed down scoring options from either end. The fielding mirrored the bowling intensity, with sharp catching and athletic work inside the ring ensuring Sri Lanka were forced to take risks rather than accumulate.The decisive blow came through Rachin Ravindra, whose left-arm spin turned pressure into collapse. Varying his pace and width cleverly, Ravindra lured batters out of their crease and allowed Tim Seifert to shine behind the stumps. Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake were both stumped, beaten by flight, drift and turn. Ravindra struck again when Dasun Shanaka top-edged a cut, and completed his four-wicket haul by dismissing Dushan Hemantha. His figures of 4 for 27 reflected not just wickets, but an ability to sense panic and exploit it ruthlessly.Kamindu Mendis offered brief resistance, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell ensured chances were taken, Santner chipped in to close out the innings and Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 107.For New Zealand, the victory does more than end Sri Lanka’s campaign. It keeps their own semifinal hopes alive in a tightly contested Super Eight phase. Their blueprint is now clear. Strike early with the new ball, suffocate through the middle overs and trust the depth in their batting to recover from adversity.For Sri Lanka, the tournament ends with disappointment, but also with a reminder of what remains unbreakable. Even as the final wickets fell, the crowd stayed. The band played on, the trumpets rang out and the applause continued. The result belonged to New Zealand, but the night, as always in Colombo, belonged to the fans.Brief Scores New Zealand: 168/7 in 20 overs (Mitchell Santner 47, Cole McConchie 31 not out; Maheesh Theekshana 3/30, Dushmantha Chameera 3/38)Sri Lanka: 107/8 in 20 overs (Kamindu Mendis 31; Rachin Ravindra 4/27, Matt Henry 2/14)

A file image of Zimbabwe’s Ryan Burl.
| Photo Credit: AP

India’s Sanju Samson during warm-up practice session on February 24, ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match between India vs Zimbabwe at MAC Stadium, Chepauk in Chennai on February 26, 2026.
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam