India National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match: India is expected to make few changes to its playing XI for crucial Super 8 match against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Both teams are coming off heavy defeats in their opening Super 8 matches and cannot afford another loss in the tournament’s second phase.
India’s team management is likely to recall vice-captain Axar Patel after he was left out of the Super 8 fixture against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Axar is expected to replace Washington Sundar, who struggled in Ahmedabad.
Sundar played two matches but failed to make an impact. He bowled just two overs against South Africa without taking a wicket and scored 11 off 11 balls while batting at No. 5. The decision to pick Sundar over Axar drew criticism after India’s 76-run defeat.
Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh are also under scrutiny. Tilak has scored 25, 25, 25, 31 and 1 in five matches but has batted at a strike rate below 120 in most outings, apart from the match against the United States in Mumbai. Rinku, used as a finisher, has managed scores of 6, 1, 11 not out, 6 not out and 0 in his last five innings.
Abhishek, who entered the tournament in strong form, has endured a difficult start to his first ICC event. The left-hander has managed just 15 runs in four matches and was dismissed for a duck in his first three outings. He struggled particularly against slower deliveries in the loss to South Africa, but the team management is unlikely to drop him.
Sanju Samson is in contention to strengthen the top order. He last played against Namibia in Delhi on Feb. 12, scoring 22 off eight balls. His inclusion would provide a left-right combination at the top. If Samson replaces Tilak, Ishan Kishan could move to No. 3. His inclusion would add a right-handed option in the top three alongside Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan.
On a Chennai pitch that traditionally favors spin, Kuldeep Yadav could be drafted into the XI. He has played just one match so far — against Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium — returning 1 for 14 in three overs. With Axar Patel also likely to return, India would add variety and control to its bowling combination.
India’s likely XI: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.