India faces Zimbabwe in a must-win Super 8 match of t20 World Cup 2026 in Chennai. Find out the 3 key players to watch, including the returning Sanju Samson and the struggling Abhishek Sharma.
Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Sikandar Raza - 3 Players to Watch Out in India vs Zimbabwe Super 8 Clash - T20 World Cup 2026 (Image Source: X)
Defending champions India need to win by a big margin against a strong Zimbabwe team if they want to keep their semifinal dream alive. After a heavy 76-run loss to South Africa, India's Net Run Rate has taken a nosedive, and the team now has no room for error. This match is a make-or-break situation for the "Gautam Gambhir, Suryakumar" era, as the team is keen to put behind the "250, run hype" and show a clinical performance on the spin-friendly tracks of Chennai.
With the major changes to the lineup, the spotlight is on three players who are considered the next three in line for India's survival in the tournament.
Sanju Samson is the name everyone’s watching for this Super 8 match. He’s only had one chance in the tournament so far, in which he scored a quickfire 22 off 8 balls against Namibia. But now, people expect him to step in for either Abhishek Sharma, who’s out of form, or Tilak Varma, who just hasn’t delivered.
There’s a bit of poetry here, too. Samson made his international T20 debut against Zimbabwe all the way back in July 2015. Fast forward 11 years, and now India needs exactly what he brings: someone who can handle pace and spin, keep the top order steady, and bring some much-needed right-handed balance. Opposing off-spinners have been feasting on India’s left-handers, so getting Samson in there could really shake things up.
Abhishek Sharma walked into the tournament as the top-ranked T20I batter, but things haven’t gone his way at all. However, scores of 0, 0, 0, and 15 is not what anyone expected, and it’s put real pressure on India’s Powerplay.
Still, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak sounds like he’s willing to give Abhishek one last shot at Chepauk. The job’s clear, but it’s tough: Abhishek needs to bring back that fearless approach that made him a star in the IPL.
He’s got to deliver in those first six overs, especially against someone like Blessing Muzarabani. If he can’t get it done this time, it’s not just India’s chances in the match that take a hit; it might mean the end of his run with the national team.
If you’re looking for the one player who sets the tone for Zimbabwe, it’s their captain, Sikandar Raza. He just fought his way back to the top as ICC’s No. 1 T20I All-Rounder, and honestly, he’s the engine that keeps this giant-killer squad running.
Raza’s off-spin isn’t just clever, it’s Zimbabwe’s main weapon on Chepauk’s black-soil pitch. India’s had a tough time with off-spin in the Powerplay, and Raza knows it. Expect him to take the ball himself early, aiming straight at India’s lefties.
He’s already led his team to upset wins over Australia and Sri Lanka in this tournament. Big matches seem to bring out his best, and right now, he’s the biggest challenge standing between India and the semifinals.
