NEW DELHI: Brisk half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya, followed by a decisive spell from Varun Chakravarthy,powered India to a commanding 93-run victory over Namibia in their ICC T20 World Cup clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. With the win, India moved to the top of Group A with two wins from two matches,level with Pakistan on points but ahead on net run rate.
Batting first after being put in, India posted a formidable 209/9 in 20 overs. The innings was built around a sensational 24-ball 61 from Ishan Kishan and a blistering 28-ball 52 from Hardik Pandya, though Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus kept his side in contention with an impressive four-wicket haul (4/20).
India began steadily before Sanju Samson provided early fireworks, smashing two sixes and a four in an eight-ball 22 before falling to Ben Shikongo with the score at 25/1 in two overs. Kishan then took centre stage. In the final over of the powerplay, he hammered JJ Smit for four consecutive sixes and a boundary, collecting 28 runs in the over and racing to his half-century in just 20 balls. India finished the powerplay at 86/1 — their third-highest powerplay total in T20Is.
The Men in Blue brought up their 100 in just 6.5 overs, the fastest team hundred in T20 World Cup history. Kishan’s explosive knock, which included six fours and five sixes, ended at 61 when Erasmus dismissed him at 104/2 in the eighth over.
India were 120/2 at the halfway stage, but Namibia fought back through disciplined bowling. Bernard Scholtz removed Suryakumar Yadav for 12, and Erasmus struck twice more to dismiss Tilak Varma (25) and Axar Patel (0). After racing early, India slowed through the middle overs, reaching 144/4 in 14 overs.
The momentum shifted again when Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube launched a late assault. The duo added quick runs,including a 24-run over off Scholtz, propelling India to 165/4 in 15 overs. Hardik brought up his fifty in 27 deliveries as India crossed the 200-run mark in the 19th over. However, Namibia finished strongly, removing Hardik (52), Dube (23),Rinku Singh (1), and Arshdeep Singh (2) late in the innings to restrict India to 209/9.
In reply, Namibia began confidently in pursuit of 210. Openers Jan Frylinck and Louren-Steenkamp attacked during the powerplay, taking advantage of some loose bowling. Frylinck struck 22 off 15 balls before mistiming a pull to deep mid-wicket, leaving Namibia at 33/1 in 3.4 overs.
Steenkamp continued the charge, helping Namibia to an impressive 57/1 at the end of the powerplay. However, Varun Chakravarthy broke the 34-run stand by clean bowling Steenkamp for 29. He then delivered a match-defining over,removing Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (13) and JJ Smit (0) to reduce Namibia to 86/4 in 9.4 overs.
From there, India tightened their grip. Erasmus attempted to counterattack with an 11-ball 18, but he was caught at long-off, leaving Namibia at 93/5. Axar Patel dismissed Malan Kruger (5), while Jasprit Bumrah produced a pinpoint yorker to remove Ruben Trumpelmann (6).
Hardik added two more wickets, including Bernard Scholtz and Ben Shikongo, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick. Zane Green (11) was the final wicket to fall as Namibia were bowled out for 116 in 18.2 overs.
Varun Chakravarthy was the standout with 3/7 in two overs, while Axar (2/20) and Hardik (2/21) provided strong support.
Brief Scores: India: 209/9 (Ishan Kishan 61, Hardik Pandya 52, Gerald Erasmus 4/20) beat Namibia 116 in 18.2 overs (Louren Steenkamp 29, Jan Frylinck 22, Varun Chakravarthy 3/7).
