New Delhi, Feb. 27 -- India posted the second-highest total in the history of the men's T20 World Cup as its batters gave home fans a show of sixes in a 72-run win over Zimbabwe in the Super Eights on Thursday. South Africa beat West Indies by nine wickets to advance to the semifinals.

Hardik Pandya scored 50 not out off 23 balls, Tilak Varma smashed 44 not out off only 16 deliveries and Abhishek Sharma found form with a 30-ball 55 in defending champion India's 256-4 in 20 overs - second only to Sri Lanka's 260-6 against Kenya at the 2007 edition.

Zimbabwe reached 184-6 in its 20 overs with opener Brian Bennett ending on 97 not out with six sixes in his 59-ball innings.

India hit 17 sixes in all - its highest in a T20 World Cup innings...