The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai became the epicentre of cricketing theatre on Thursday, as India faced Zimbabwe in the 48th Match of the T20 World Cup Super-Eights. While the scoreboard eventually reflected a dominant Indian side, the highlight of the night wasn’t a towering six or a shattered stump, but an act of sheer athletic improvisation that left the Chepauk crowd rubbing their eyes in disbelief.
In the heat of the Group 1 clash, Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett produced a moment of viral magic, channelling his inner David Beckham to survive a lethal delivery from the world’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah.
Brian Bennett pulls off a Beckham-esque move to escape Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery yorker
The incident occurred during the powerplay as Zimbabwe began their daunting chase of 257. Bumrah, operating with his signature rhythmic precision, unleashed a peach of a yorker at delivery 4.6. The ball, angling in with searing pace toward the middle stump, had wicket written all over it. Bennett, initially looking to defend straight, found himself beaten by the late dip and velocity.
As the ball bypassed the blade and threatened to clatter into the woodwork, Bennett displayed reflexes more common on a football pitch than a cricket square. In a split-second ‘Beckham-esque’ move, he used his boot to surgically swat the ball away toward the leg side. It was a goal-line clearance of the highest order. While the Indian fielders looked on in a mix of frustration and awe, the commentary box erupted. The save kept Bennett at the crease—where he would eventually remain unbeaten – and briefly turned a high-stakes cricket match into a showcase of multidisciplinary athleticism.
Here’s the video:
India asserts dominance to knock Zimbabwe out of the T20 World Cup 2026
Despite Bennett’s individual brilliance and his defiant 97 off 59 balls, the sheer weight of India’s batting firepower proved too much for the Chevrons. India’s total of 256/4 was built on a foundation of aggressive cameos and clinical finishing. Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a blistering 55 off 30 balls, while the middle order of Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Ishan Kishan (38) kept the momentum surging.
However, the final flourish belonged to Hardik Pandya, the Player of the Match, who smashed an unbeaten 50 off just 23 deliveries. Supported by Tilak Varma’s explosive 44 not out off 16, India posted a target that required Zimbabwe to score at nearly 13 runs per over from the jump.
Zimbabwe’s chase never truly ignited despite Bennett’s heroics. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers, dismantling the middle order with figures of 3/24, including the quick-fire wickets of Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl in the 17th over. India won by 72 runs, officially ending Zimbabwe’s spirited run in the T20 World Cup 2026.
