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In a critical T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe, the defending champions have responded to pressure with a historic assault, obliterating their own previous records to post a monumental 256/4. This staggering total now stands as India's highest-ever score in T20 World Cup history, decisively surpassing the famous 218/4 they set against England in the inaugural 2007 edition. Furthermore, it is now officially recognized as the second-highest total ever recorded by any team in the history of the T20 World Cup, trailing only the West Indies' logic-defying 263/3 earlier in this very tournament.

The Powerplay Explosion: Samson and Abhishek Set the Tone

The foundations of this historic night were laid during a blistering Powerplay. After Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to field, hoping for early moisture on the Chepauk track, India debuted a bold new opening pair: Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. The decision paid immediate dividends, turning the first six overs into an exhibition of pure aggression.

Abhishek, who had endured a nightmare run of three consecutive ducks, finally found his rhythm in Chennai, while Samson provided the early fireworks. Samson’s cameo of 24 off just 15 balls included two massive sixes that deflated the Zimbabwe attack from the outset. By the end of the Powerplay, India had raced to 80/1, marking their third-highest Powerplay score ever in T20 World Cup history and their second-highest against Zimbabwe.

The Unbeaten 84: Hardik and Tilak Orchestrate Final Mayhem

While Ishan Kishan (38) and captain Suryakumar Yadav, who bludgeoned a typical "SKY" cameo of 33 off 13 balls, maintained the scorching run rate through the middle overs, the defining moment of the innings was yet to come. The final five overs saw absolute mayhem at Chepauk as Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma stitched together a devastating, unbroken partnership.

The duo plundered an incredible 84 runs off only 31 deliveries, capitalizing on a series of uncharacteristic fielding lapses from Zimbabwe, including three dropped catches by Tashinga Musekiwa. Hardik Pandya anchored the final assault, reaching his half-century off the very last ball of the innings to finish with 50 off 23 balls*.

At the other end, Tilak Varma played the finisher's role to perfection. He made his intentions clear in the 18th over, where he and Hardik plundered 19 runs off Blessing Muzarabani. Tilak continued the onslaught in the 19th over with back-to-back sixes, finishing with a ruthless 44 off just 16 balls* to secure India's record-breaking total.