India outclassed Namibia by 93 runs in their Group A clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday.
Opener Ishan Kishan and all-rounder Hardik Pandya powered India to 209 //9 with explosive half-centuries after being asked to bat first. Ishan scored a blistering 61 off 24 balls, and Pandya hit 52 off 28 balls, sharing an 81-run partnership. Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus bowled impressively, taking 4/20 in four overs.
In reply, Namibia were bowled out for 116 in 18.2 overs, with Varun Chakravarthy taking 3/7 in 2 overs.
How India Beat Namibia?
Sanju Samson disappointed yet again, while Ishan Kishan shone brilliantly and his mentor Hardik Pandya provided entertainment. However, India’s 93-run victory over Namibia on Thursday
wasn’t quite the blockbuster expected ahead of the critical T20 World Cup match against Pakistan.
The win felt more like a lull before the storm, with Pakistan waiting in the wings.
Despite the margin of victory being India’s highest in a T20 World Cup, it didn’t tell the full story. The relatively unknown Namibian captain, Gerhard Erasmus, surprised everyone by taking 4 for 20 in India’s final total of 209 for 9, despite Kishan’s explosive 24-ball 61 and Pandya’s solid 52 off 28 balls.
In response, Namibia’s batting line-up struggled against an unfamiliar attack, folding for 116 in 18.2 overs. Varun Chakravarthy (3/7 in 2 overs) and Pandya (2/21 in 4 overs) claimed most of the wickets. India now needs just one more win from their next two games to qualify for the Super Eights.
India’s batting performance, despite scoring over 200, is considered below par due to Erasmus’ unique side-arm action, which caused discomfort for the Indian batters, including Kishan, Pandya, and Tilak Varma. Erasmus’ 24 deliveries were a wake-up call for Indian batters, hinting at the challenges Usman Tariq of Pakistan might pose on a trickier Premadasa track in Colombo.
When Namibia batted, their aggressive approach was evident, but it was only a matter of time before Chakravarthy and Axar Patel (2/20) dismantled them.
Earlier, Samson’s three-sixes innings was short-lived, like an Instagram reel, while Kishan’s batting resembled a gripping web series full of drama and action. Kishan’s five sixes and half a dozen boundaries in a 20-ball 50 laid the foundation for Pandya’s 52 off 28 balls, propelling India to a formidable total beyond Namibia’s reach.
Erasmus, however, impressed greatly, keeping Pakistan’s lethal bowler Tariq interested for their upcoming match. Erasmus mixed side-arm deliveries with his stock round-arm balls and even bowled from behind the crease for variation, which stumped set batsman Tilak Varma (25).
On a flat Kotla pitch, Samson (22 off 8 balls) and captain Suryakumar Yadav (12 off 12 balls) missed out on big scores, with Namibia making a middle-over comeback. Surya received the best delivery of the innings from left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz, who got one to dip and turn, resulting in Surya being stumped.
It was a missed opportunity for Samson to make an impact. His three sixes delighted the crowd, but another flick failed to clear the fielder at cow corner. Samson’s innings showed intent but lacked effectiveness.
The difference between Kishan and Samson over the past month has been consistency and seizing second chances. Namibian pacers had no answer for Kishan, and any lapse in length was punished by his bat, sending sixes soaring into the stands.
In the final ten overs, India’s MVP Pandya took charge with four sixes and four boundaries, maintaining the momentum with support from Shivam Dube (23 off 16 balls) in an 81-run partnership off just 6.3 overs.
(With inputs from Agencies)
