Exactly a decade after their last meeting on Indian soil, the West Indies and Zimbabwe reunite at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday for a Super 8 clash that defies the mainstream expectations. Both sides arrive in Mumbai unbeaten after topping their respective groups, shedding the labels that have dogged them for much of the last decade.
For Daren Sammy’s West Indies, the mission is to reclaim their status as the format's gold standard. For Sikandar Raza’s Zimbabwe, it is the continuation of a fairytale that has already seen them dismantle Australia and co-host Sri Lanka. With heavyweight matches against India and South Africa looming for both, Monday’s result will likely dictate who stays in the hunt for a semi-final berth.
Zimbabwe’s path to Mumbai has been nothing short of historic. Under the leadership of Sikandar Raza, the Chevrons silenced the Colombo crowds with a clinical chase of 189 against Sri Lanka and a disciplined bowling performance to stun Australia. However, the transition from the slow, low turners of Sri Lanka to the bouncy, red-soil surface of the Wankhede will be their ultimate test of adaptability.
How many of you picked Zimbabwe to be a semi-finalist? Only one. In Sri Lanka, the boundaries were bigger and the wickets slower. India is different, smaller grounds and better wickets, so hopefully we can match their boundary count.
Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe Captain
Zimbabwe will lean heavily on Brian Bennett, who has amassed 175 runs in three matches without being dismissed, and the towering Blessing Muzarabani, whose pace and bounce make him a "serial wicket-taker" in all conditions.
West Indies: Undefeated; bolstered by the return of Romario Shepherd.
Zimbabwe: Undefeated; have already claimed the scalps of two former champions.
Venue history: Quick-wicket (35 wkts) and spin (34 wkts) have been almost equally effective at Wankhede this tournament, averaging 26.2.
Head-to-head: This is only the fifth T20I meeting between these two nations.
The West Indies enter the Super 8s as the stronger side on paper, featuring a rejuvenated Shimron Hetmyer at No. 3 and the steady hand of Shai Hope. Hope has acted as the standout coming off two fifties, including a gritty performance against Nepal that stabilized a middle-order wobble.
Coach Daren Sammy confirmed that all-rounder Romario Shepherd is fit for selection after missing the final two league games with a niggle. Shepherd’s ability to clear the roof, gives the Windies the luxury of playing three frontline seamers and three spinners, an ideal mix for the Mumbai deck.
The early battle between Shai Hope and Blessing Muzarabani could define the Powerplay. Muzarabani’s height and discipline on a red-soil pitch provide a threat that few Associate-raised batters have encountered. Conversely, if Hope can navigate the new ball and set a platform, the West Indies' middle-order firepower of Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford could prove overwhelming for a Zimbabwe side used to larger boundaries.
Only Raza and Wellington Masakadza remain from the Zimbabwe squad that last toured India in 2016. While that trip ended in a preliminary-round exit, the 2026 iteration is a far more composed unit. Sammy, who led the Windies to the title in 2016 as captain, now seeks to orchestrate a similar result from the dugout.
