Ishan Kishan’s explosive 61 off 24 balls and Hardik Pandya’s composed 52 off 28 powered India to a commanding 93-run victory over Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
After winning the toss and opting to field, Namibia were treated to a batting masterclass as India raced to the fastest team hundred in T20 World Cup history, reaching the milestone in just 6.6 overs.
Despite Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus’ heroic bowling figures of 4/20 that restricted India to 209/9, the target proved insurmountable. Namibia’s chase started promisingly at 57/1 in the powerplay, but collapsed dramatically once the Indian spinners were introduced.
Varun Chakaravarthy’s devastating spell of 3/7 and Axar Patel’s economical 2/20 ensured Namibia were bowled out for just 116 in 18.2 overs, giving India their 10th consecutive T20 World Cup victory.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs Namibia, T20 World Cup, Group A |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Result | India won by 93 runs |
| India | 209/9 (20 overs) |
| Namibia | 116 (18.2 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Hardik Pandya |
| Toss | Namibia won and chose to field |
First Innings Highlights
India launched a ferocious assault from the outset, with Sanju Samson announcing his intentions by smashing 22 off just 8 balls, including three sixes, before falling to Ben Shikongo in the second over.
Ishan Kishan then took center stage with a breathtaking knock, reaching his fifty in just 20 balls and finishing with 61 off 24 deliveries (6 fours, 5 sixes). His assault on JJ Smit in the 6th over yielded 28 runs (6,6,6,6,4), propelling India to 86/1 in the powerplay. The carnage continued as India reached 100 in merely 6.6 overs, the fastest team century in T20 World Cup history.
However, Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus led a remarkable comeback, claiming 4/20 with his off-spin to dismiss Kishan, Tilak Varma (25), Suryakumar Yadav (12), and Rinku Singh. Hardik Pandya counterattacked with a vital 52 off 28 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes), supported by Shivam Dube’s 23, as India finished with 209/9.
First Innings Best Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Ishan Kishan | 61 runs (24 balls, 6×4, 5×6) |
| Best Bowler | Gerhard Erasmus | 4-0-20-4 |
Second Innings Highlights
Namibia began their chase aggressively with Louren Steenkamp leading the charge, scoring 29 off 20 balls with 3 fours and a six. Jan Frylinck provided excellent support with 22 off 15 balls (3 fours, 1 six) as Namibia raced to 57/1 in the powerplay. However, the introduction of spin changed the game completely.
Varun Chakaravarthy struck with his very first delivery, dismissing Steenkamp, and went on to claim three wickets in his spell while conceding just 7 runs. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (13) and Gerhard Erasmus (18 off 11 balls with 2 sixes) tried to rebuild, but wickets kept tumbling. Axar Patel delivered a wicket-maiden and finished with figures of 2/20, including a spectacular catch by Jasprit Bumrah.
Hardik Pandya picked up two wickets in consecutive balls, nearly claiming a hat-trick. The innings ended bizarrely when Zane Green hit his own stumps attempting a reverse sweep off Shivam Dube, leaving Namibia all out for 116.
Second Innings Best Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Louren Steenkamp | 29 runs (20 balls, 3×4, 1×6) |
| Best Bowler | Varun Chakaravarthy | 2-0-7-3 |
