Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium became the epicenter of cricket theater on Thursday as India faced Zimbabwe in game 48 of the T20 World Cup Super Eight. While the scoreline ultimately reflected a dominant Indian team, the highlight of the night was not a towering six or a smashed stump, but an act of pure athletic improvisation that left the Chepauk crowd rubbing their eyes in disbelief.
In the heat of Group 1 clash, Zimbabwe Brian Bennett produced a moment of viral magic, channeling his inner David Beckham to survive a lethal delivery from the world’s leading fast bowler. Jasprit Bumrah.
Brian Bennett pulls off Beckham-style move to escape Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery yorker
The incident occurred during the powerplay as Zimbabwe began their overwhelming chase of 257. Bumrah, operating with his trademark rhythmic precision, unleashed a Yorker peach at 4.6 delivery. The ball, moving at breakneck speed towards the middle stump, had a wicket written all over it. Bennett, initially looking to defend straight, was defeated by the late fall and speed.
As the ball missed the blade and threatened to crash into the woodwork, Bennett showed reflexes more common on a football field than a cricket field. In a split-second Beckham-esque move, he used his boot to surgically move the ball away to the side of his leg. It was a goal-line punt of the highest order. As the Indian fielders looked on in a mix of frustration and amazement, the commentary room erupted. The save kept Bennett in the box, where he would eventually remain unbeaten, and briefly turned a high-stakes cricket match into a display of multi-sport athletics.
Here is the video:
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India assert dominance to eliminate Zimbabwe from 2026 T20 World Cup
Despite Bennett’s individual brilliance and his challenging 97 off 59 balls, the weight of India’s batting power proved too much for the Chevrons. India’s total of 256/4 was built on a foundation of aggressive cameos and clinical finishes. Abhishek Sharma set the tone with 55 off 30 balls, while the middle order of Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Ishan Kishan (38) kept the momentum rising.
However, the final touch belonged to Hardik Pandyathe Player of the Match, who scored an unbeaten 50 in just 23 deliveries. Supported by Tilak Varma’s Explosive 44 not out for 16, India scored a target that required Zimbabwe to score almost 13 runs per over from the jump.
The Zimbabwean persecution never really began despite Bennett’s heroic acts. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the players, dismantling the middle order with figures of 3/24, including the quick-fire wickets of Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl in the 17th above. India won by 72 runs, officially ending Zimbabwe’s spirited run in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
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