116/10 (18.2)
CRR : 6.33
209/9 (20.0)
CRR : 10.45
India won by 93 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Player
2/2152(28)
Best Bowling Figures by Indian Spinners in T20 WCs:
4/11 – R Ashwin vs Australia, Mirpur, 2014
4/12 – Harbhajan Singh vs England, Colombo (RPS), 2012
4/21 – Pragyan Ojha vs Bangladesh, Nottingham, 2009
3/7 – Varun Chakravarthy vs Namibia, Delhi, 2026, Tonight*
3/15 – Ravindra Jadeja vs Scotland, Dubai (DICS), 2021
4/11 – R Ashwin vs Australia, Mirpur, 2014
4/12 – Harbhajan Singh vs England, Colombo (RPS), 2012
4/21 – Pragyan Ojha vs Bangladesh, Nottingham, 2009
3/7 – Varun Chakravarthy vs Namibia, Delhi, 2026, Tonight*
3/15 – Ravindra Jadeja vs Scotland, Dubai (DICS), 2021
Instances of Hit Wicket in T20 WCs:
David Obuya (Kenya) vs New Zealand, Durban, 2007
Nasum Ahmed (Bangladesh) vs South Africa, Abu Dhabi, 2021
Hardik Pandya (India) vs England, Adelaide, 2022
Zane Green (Namibia) vs India, Delhi, 2026, Tonight*
David Obuya (Kenya) vs New Zealand, Durban, 2007
Nasum Ahmed (Bangladesh) vs South Africa, Abu Dhabi, 2021
Hardik Pandya (India) vs England, Adelaide, 2022
Zane Green (Namibia) vs India, Delhi, 2026, Tonight*
Indian Players with 50+ Runs & a Wicket in a Men’s T20 World Cup Match:
78* & 1/21 – Virat Kohli vs Pakistan, Colombo (RPS), 2012
89* & 1/15 – Virat Kohli vs West Indies, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2016
50* & 1/32 – Hardik Pandya vs Bangladesh, North Sound, 2024
52 & 2/21 – Hardik Pandya vs Namibia, Delhi, 2026, Tonight*
78* & 1/21 – Virat Kohli vs Pakistan, Colombo (RPS), 2012
89* & 1/15 – Virat Kohli vs West Indies, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2016
50* & 1/32 – Hardik Pandya vs Bangladesh, North Sound, 2024
52 & 2/21 – Hardik Pandya vs Namibia, Delhi, 2026, Tonight*
Player of the Match: Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya (POTM): "Yeah, definitely. I’ve been enjoying this sport. We’ve had a good couple of months to prepare and get the rhythm and the body right. That’s why everything is going well.
(On his batting) Yes, I’ve always taken pride in my batting as an all-rounder. So whenever I get an opportunity, I make sure that both skills are managed properly. And yeah, I’ve always been… batting has always been close to my heart. When that comes off, it’s in your hands most of the time.
(On managing his body) The bowling has been fantastic. I’ve always mentioned that it takes a lot of hard work, which I cherish. But playing for the country has always been a matter of pride and my number one priority. It just needs extra hard work, which I do. A lot of work happens behind the scenes. When I’m out, I kind of go into an army-style camp where I do morning and evening sessions, which keeps me going. And whenever a big series or tournament is coming, I give myself a month or so to get into that routine — making sure I eat well, sleep well, and keep my habits right. I always maintain the fitness system, and at the same time, the support has been big. Yes, sacrifices are needed.
(On Indian bowling attack) Yes, I think that’s the strength of this team. We have a lot of options — fast-bowling cover and spin cover. There are fast bowlers who come to the party when the wicket offers something, and at the same time the spinners in the middle overs have been fantastic all around. Varun, Kuldeep whenever he’s got an opportunity — I think they’ve been fantastic. And when the fast bowlers get opportunities, they’ve been fantastic as well and have played their roles with commitment.
(On pitch conditions) Yes, I think the last two back-to-back games in the World Cup have been a little batting-friendly. We had to adapt. Even today, when I got ready to bat, it felt like the wicket was holding a bit and keeping low as well. But in big tournaments, you just adapt, let your skills work, and rely on your understanding of the game. Yeah, it was different, but overall it was good."
(On his batting) Yes, I’ve always taken pride in my batting as an all-rounder. So whenever I get an opportunity, I make sure that both skills are managed properly. And yeah, I’ve always been… batting has always been close to my heart. When that comes off, it’s in your hands most of the time.
(On managing his body) The bowling has been fantastic. I’ve always mentioned that it takes a lot of hard work, which I cherish. But playing for the country has always been a matter of pride and my number one priority. It just needs extra hard work, which I do. A lot of work happens behind the scenes. When I’m out, I kind of go into an army-style camp where I do morning and evening sessions, which keeps me going. And whenever a big series or tournament is coming, I give myself a month or so to get into that routine — making sure I eat well, sleep well, and keep my habits right. I always maintain the fitness system, and at the same time, the support has been big. Yes, sacrifices are needed.
(On Indian bowling attack) Yes, I think that’s the strength of this team. We have a lot of options — fast-bowling cover and spin cover. There are fast bowlers who come to the party when the wicket offers something, and at the same time the spinners in the middle overs have been fantastic all around. Varun, Kuldeep whenever he’s got an opportunity — I think they’ve been fantastic. And when the fast bowlers get opportunities, they’ve been fantastic as well and have played their roles with commitment.
(On pitch conditions) Yes, I think the last two back-to-back games in the World Cup have been a little batting-friendly. We had to adapt. Even today, when I got ready to bat, it felt like the wicket was holding a bit and keeping low as well. But in big tournaments, you just adapt, let your skills work, and rely on your understanding of the game. Yeah, it was different, but overall it was good."
Most Player of the Match Awards for India in T20Is:
17 - Suryakumar Yadav
16 - Virat Kohli
14 - Rohit Sharma
8 - Axar Patel
7 - Yuvraj Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya*
17 - Suryakumar Yadav
16 - Virat Kohli
14 - Rohit Sharma
8 - Axar Patel
7 - Yuvraj Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya*
Gerhard Erasmus (Namibia Captain): "(Thoughts at the halfway stage) Yeah, I thought that the powerplay which we had with the bat was a really good one. Maybe, with the dew settling in, it would've made it tough for the spinners in the back half of the innings. We really felt that after 26 overs of the match, we were very much in the game but Varun broke the back of our chase.
(What were the positives from this game?) The death bowling today was really good. Smit came back into the attack and bowled a good over. We leaked a few runs after the powerplay and that's where we need to be a bit better in order to compete against these top quality sides.
(On their upcoming game against UAE) Yeah, that's a very big game for us. The conditions in Chennai might suit us. We are still not playing at our absolute best. We are still adapting to the conditions. We got a lot of firepower in our batting but we are not getting enough balls under our belt to show that firepower.
(On the surface in the 2nd Innings) Nah, I don't think there was any change in the pitch. There was a lot of quality with the ball from the Indian bowlers. That pretty much showed in the middle period which broke the back of our chase."
(What were the positives from this game?) The death bowling today was really good. Smit came back into the attack and bowled a good over. We leaked a few runs after the powerplay and that's where we need to be a bit better in order to compete against these top quality sides.
(On their upcoming game against UAE) Yeah, that's a very big game for us. The conditions in Chennai might suit us. We are still not playing at our absolute best. We are still adapting to the conditions. We got a lot of firepower in our batting but we are not getting enough balls under our belt to show that firepower.
(On the surface in the 2nd Innings) Nah, I don't think there was any change in the pitch. There was a lot of quality with the ball from the Indian bowlers. That pretty much showed in the middle period which broke the back of our chase."
Suryakumar Yadav (India Captain): "I think it was not an easy wicket to bat on, but the way Ishan and Sanju started, it didn’t look like a difficult wicket. And then the partnership between Shivam and Hardik, the way they batted after losing two or three quick wickets, was very commendable.
(On the pitch) I think the ball was stopping a little bit, but I don’t want to take any credit away from the Namibian bowlers. They bowled really well. I think they came out with fire and executed their plans very well. I’m very impressed with their bowling.
(Missing out on the chance to score over 230) After six or seven overs, it felt like we might go past 240 or 250 as well. But it’s a game of cricket — fantastic fightback [from Namibia]. We lost two or three quick wickets, but then we had a good partnership and a good finish at the end.
(On Bumrah coming back) Absolutely. He [Bumrah] is all set to go for the next game as well. And also Varun Chakravarthy — the way he bowled in partnership with Axar Patel makes it a difficult combination to play.
(Fully fit Hardik giving flexibility) Absolutely. With the new ball, the old ball, and even in the death overs when needed. And the way he bats — it’s a big boost for the team, especially in that situation, coming in with a positive mindset and taking the Player of the Match today in a crucial game. I think it’s a really good thing for the team.
(Indian campaign on the right track) Absolutely. Every game is important. We did start a little scratchy, but I think we’re on the right road now."
(On the pitch) I think the ball was stopping a little bit, but I don’t want to take any credit away from the Namibian bowlers. They bowled really well. I think they came out with fire and executed their plans very well. I’m very impressed with their bowling.
(Missing out on the chance to score over 230) After six or seven overs, it felt like we might go past 240 or 250 as well. But it’s a game of cricket — fantastic fightback [from Namibia]. We lost two or three quick wickets, but then we had a good partnership and a good finish at the end.
(On Bumrah coming back) Absolutely. He [Bumrah] is all set to go for the next game as well. And also Varun Chakravarthy — the way he bowled in partnership with Axar Patel makes it a difficult combination to play.
(Fully fit Hardik giving flexibility) Absolutely. With the new ball, the old ball, and even in the death overs when needed. And the way he bats — it’s a big boost for the team, especially in that situation, coming in with a positive mindset and taking the Player of the Match today in a crucial game. I think it’s a really good thing for the team.
(Indian campaign on the right track) Absolutely. Every game is important. We did start a little scratchy, but I think we’re on the right road now."
Most Wickets Taken by Spinners in a T20 WC Match in India:
12 - India vs New Zealand, Nagpur, 2016
10 - India vs Namibia, Delhi, 2026, Tonight*
9 - Afghanistan vs England, Delhi, 2016
9 - Afghanistan vs West Indies, Nagpur, 2016
12 - India vs New Zealand, Nagpur, 2016
10 - India vs Namibia, Delhi, 2026, Tonight*
9 - Afghanistan vs England, Delhi, 2016
9 - Afghanistan vs West Indies, Nagpur, 2016
Despite a couple of stutters while batting, India cruised past 200, thanks to half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya. Namibia fought hard to keep India within reach, but against a world-class bowling attack, it was always a mountain to climb. With this 93-run thumping win, the Men in Blue climb to the top of Group A, leapfrogging Pakistan, who also have 2 wins in 2 games. A massive clash between the arch-rivals awaits us on Sunday as India travel to Colombo for the big game.
Before that match, we have a few more lined up in this global event. Three of them are coming up tomorrow (Friday). Australia face Zimbabwe in the morning fixture in Colombo. Then Canada vs UAE in Delhi before the USA and the Netherlands lock horns in Chennai to close out the evening.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator, Pritam Dey, helping buddy Mohammad Anab, scorer Zeeshan Naiyer and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!
Before that match, we have a few more lined up in this global event. Three of them are coming up tomorrow (Friday). Australia face Zimbabwe in the morning fixture in Colombo. Then Canada vs UAE in Delhi before the USA and the Netherlands lock horns in Chennai to close out the evening.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator, Pritam Dey, helping buddy Mohammad Anab, scorer Zeeshan Naiyer and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!