Former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble lauded the dominant display from the West Indies cricket team after their emphatic win over the Zimbabwe national cricket team in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Caribbean side produced a complete performance with both bat and ball, registering a massive 107-run victory that significantly boosted their net run rate. Batting first, West Indies unleashed a brutal assault on Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, piling up a staggering 254/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
The innings was powered by a sensational knock from Shimron Hetmyer, who smashed 85 off just 34 balls. His aggressive yet calculated innings ensured that the Caribbean side crossed the 250-run mark, putting the opposition under enormous pressure. Praising the West Indies’ bowling effort, Kumble highlighted how their spinners played a decisive role in controlling the middle overs.
“The West Indies understand what it takes to win at this stage of the tournament. The left-arm spinners were outstanding. Gudakesh Motie bowled brilliantly. In this format, finger spinners often try to stay away from the batter’s hitting arc, but Motie and Akeal Hosein were different,” Anil Kumble said while speaking on JioHotstar.
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Kumble also reserved special praise for Hetmyer’s ability to convert starts into match-defining contributions.
“Shimron Hetmyer has long been a finisher and knows how to clear the boundaries. He has the power and the temperament. What stands out is that he doesn’t settle for quick cameos of 20 or 30. He converts them into substantial scores. Had he fallen for 30, perhaps the West Indies wouldn’t have reached 254,” Anil Kumble explained.
He further highlighted the supporting role played by Rovman Powell, whose composed yet destructive knock strengthened the West Indies’ total.
“Powell is again a proven power-hitter. He took his time initially, but once he settled, he was unstoppable. He strikes the ball extremely hard,” Anil Kumble noted.
The former India captain also turned his attention to the India national cricket team, which now faces a challenging path in the tournament following their heavy defeat to South Africa.
“Every game counts at this stage. India suffered a significant loss to South Africa, and it wasn’t just about losing but the manner of that defeat. The key question now is whether they can bounce back strongly against Zimbabwe,” he said.
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Kumble concluded by stressing that India must register convincing victories in their remaining matches to stay alive in the tournament race.
“India needs to win convincingly, much like the West Indies did against Zimbabwe, to improve their net run rate. After that, they must beat the West Indies as well. The primary focus should be on winning both matches. The net run rate will naturally improve if they are in control of the game.”
