India will now need to defeat West Indies to qualify for the semi-finals.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya revealed that the Men in Blue players had one eye on the result of the South Africa v. West Indies game that was played on February 26 in Ahmedabad. The second game of that day was India vs. Zimbabwe.
South Africa defeated the West Indies by 9 wickets as they chased down a 177-run target with ease, as Aiden Markram slammed 82*, Quinton de Kock made 47, and Ryan Rickelton made 45*. This win by South Africa has kept India alive in the race for the semi-finals.
“Obviously, the South Africa and West Indies game was one we all were keeping an eye on," Hardik Pandya said after India’s 72-run win over Zimbabwe.
India will now need to defeat the West Indies in Kolkata on March 1 to qualify for the semis.
Asked if that game had any effect on their match, he said, "You know, now it’s all about playing good cricket, backing your skill set, you know, kind of absorbing the pressure, and making sure that you put the best foot forward. So yeah, definitely we were keeping an eye, but at the same point of time, once the game got over, we focused on that this is our game. We need to focus on this."
Hardik Pandya was named the Player of the Match in India’s win over Zimbabwe as he slammed a 23-ball fifty to power India to 256/4 in 20 overs. Zimbabwe, despite Brian Bennett’s 97*, managed 184/6 in 20 overs to lose the game by 72 runs.
“Pretty happy. I mean, yeah, 23-ball 50 sounds strange, but I think I had to reassess the situation as well. What I meant by that was I felt I was trying to hit too hard. And just in the game, I realized, I think I can time the ball and hit sixes as well. So I think for me, it was a good game to continue the rhythm because I feel a couple of games I had, I could not do what I wanted to do. So really satisfied," Hardik saidaboutn his batting.
India pacer Arshdeep Singh was the most successful bowler with figures of three for 24. Despite not picking up any wickets, Hardik was happy with his bowling.
“Pretty good. I think I like bowling with a new ball. It swings. I mean, God has been kind. I have the skillset of bowling in swing and out swing, both. So, I really enjoy it. I think it gives me the opportunity to take wickets as well. It challenges the batter as well. So yeah, pretty satisfied. I still have to bowl my one over, which I’m going to go after this," Hardik said.
(ANI inputs)