India started off brilliantly against Namibia after being invited to bat first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson took on the Namibian bowlers and pushed them on the back
foot from the get go. Samson came up with a quick and impactful cameo before Ishan Kishan started firing in the powerplay.
In just 20 balls, Kisan brought up his half-century as India eyed a record breaking score. Kishan departed for 61 off 24 balls on the final ball of the powerplay and that is when Namibia managed to come back into the game. Tilak Verma and Suryakumar Yadav struggled to get boundaries and the pressure kept on mounting before both the players departed.
In came India’s ever reliant Hardik Pandya who shifted the pressure back on Namia. He came out all guns blazing and started the rebuild for India. Watch how Hardik treated the Namibian bowlers with no mercy.
Hardik andar, gend bahar! 🔥 ⚠️ Warning for the crowd: Mind your heads! 🫣 ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #INDvNAM | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/aLGrwgVX5o pic.twitter.com/srOkvaRyZV
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 12, 2026
He started off slow and took his time to assess the conditions in Delhi. Pandya took his time and then started the fireworks in the 15th over. He scored 11 runs off three in Bernard Scholtz’s over before taking Ben Shikongo in the next over. Hardik scored 14 off the last three balls against Shikongo and raced towards his half-century.
I don't know why but #HardikPandya success gives a very satisfying experience. Maybe because his aura is such that it makes you notice the hard work he has put in before coming on the ground.#INDvNAM #T20WorldCup2026
— Abhilash Ruhela (@WritingBuddha) February 12, 2026
His acceleration came in very handy for India in the context of momentum. He knew exactly when to shift to the next gear and which bowler to target and therefore managed to make the most out of it. Shivam Dube also teamed up with him and complemented his style of play with occasional boundaries.
- 414 runs in 18 innings. - 145+ strike rate. - 3 fifties. Hardik Pandya in T20 WCs — Big moments, big impact. #INDvNAM #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/SfJtedDdEA
— Arshy (@imArshit) February 12, 2026
Two absolute MONSTERS in T20 World Cup 2026 🚀🔥 One from Shivam Dube, the other from Hardik Pandya 💥#T20WorldCup2026 #ShivamDube #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/AlVSb6WzrH
— Mr. Cricket UAE (@mrcricketuae) February 12, 2026
The duo kept the scoreboard moving and helped India mount a 200 plus total against Namibia. Hardik has always stepped up to the occasion whenever the nation needed him and today nothing was known. He is one of the most clutch players to have ever graced the game and there’s no doubt about that. The 32-year-old scored 52 off 28 with an impressive strike rate of 185.71.
