Defending champions India showcased their class with a commanding 93-run victory over Namibia in their Group A clash of the T20 World Cup on Thursday.
After winning the toss, Namibia opted to field at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. India posted an imposing 209 for 9, powered by Ishan Kishan’s blistering 61 off just 24 deliveries, an innings studded with six fours and five sixes.
India maintained the momentum despite regular wickets, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube providing a strong late flourish to push the total past the 200-run mark. Namibia’s bowling attack, led admirably by captain Gerhard Erasmus who claimed four wickets and tested the Men in Blue at various stages, but the target ultimately proved beyond their reach.
In reply, Namibia were bundled out for 116 in 18.2 overs, falling well short of the daunting target. Although a few batters showed promise with brief starts, none managed to convert them into substantial innings.
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy was the standout performer with the ball, returning exceptional figures of 3 for 7 in just two overs to seal India’s dominance.
India continued their strong run, notching up a second successive win.
Brief scores:
India: 209/9 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 61, Hardik Pandya 52; Gerhard Erasmus 4/20).
Namibia: 116 all out in 18.2 overs (Louren Steenkamp 29; Varun Chakravarthy 3/7).