Zimbabwe threw as many as eight bowlers at the Indian batters, but to little effect, as left-handers Malhotra and Kundu rotated the strike efficiently to add a 113-run partnership for the fifth wicket. The stand lifted India from a modest 130 for 4 to a commanding 243 for 5 by the 36th over.
Kundu’s consistency was once again on display as he brought up his second half-century in three innings. The left-hander had earlier smashed 80 against Bangladesh, while he was not required to bat in the last group match against New Zealand after the target was chased down before his turn. He had also remained unbeaten on 42 against the USA in the tournament opener.
Malhotra’s return to form will be heartening for India, as it provides the team with a reliable middle-order batter — an area that proved to be a lacuna during the group stage.
Malhotra also put on a 52-run stand for the seventh wicket with RS Ambrish (21) before joining forces with tailender Khilan Patel (30) for another valuable 47 runs, helping India breach the 350-run mark.
India’s bowlers took centre-stage after that, with their experienced attack conceding very little as Zimbabwe’s chase slowed dramatically after they lost three early wickets to the pace duo of Ambrish and Patel.
Former Zimbabwe all-rounder Andy Blignaut’s son Kian (37 off 73 balls) and Leeroy Chiwaula (62 off 77 balls) showed grit in their innings, but they couldn’t accelerate the scoring. The team reached 100 runs only in the 28th over, by which time the required run rate had climbed beyond a manageable level.
Brief scores: India 352 for 8 in 50 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 52, Vihaan Malhotra 109 not out, Abhigyan Kundu 61; Panashe Mazai 2/86, Tatenda Chimugoro 3/49, Simbarashe Mudzengerere 2/51) beat Zimbabwe 148 in 37.4 overs (Kian Blignaut 37, Leeroy Chiwaula 62; RS Ambrish 2/19, Henil Patel 1/25, Udhav Mohan 3/20, Ayush Mhatre 3/14) by 204 runs.