India vs Namibia Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: Clinical India Steamroll Namibia To Seal 93-run Victory
India vs Namibia Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: India, after a hard-fought win against USA, aim to solidify their lead at top of table before their much-awaited clash with Pakistan this Sunday.
Background
India vs Namibia Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: Defending champions India are set to face Namibia in their second Group A encounter of the 2026 T20 World Cup today, February...More
India secured a comprehensive 93-run victory over Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, a win built on a blistering start with the bat and a suffocating performance with the ball.
The lede of this encounter belonged to Ishan Kishan, whose 24-ball 61 set a record-breaking pace, allowing India to post a daunting 209-9 despite a spectacular mid-innings fightback from Namibia’s captain Gerhard Erasmus, who claimed 4 for 20. Namibia’s chase began with intent, reaching 57-1 in the Powerplay, but the introduction of Varun Chakaravarthy completely altered the landscape.
Chakaravarthy’s 3 for 7 in his opening spell ripped the heart out of Namibia’s middle order, turning a competitive pursuit into a one-sided affair. India’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, with Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel picking up key wickets to ensure Namibia never recovered from the spin-induced collapse.
Spin Twins and Pace Precision Neutralize Namibia
While the Powerplay belonged to the batters, the middle overs were a masterclass in defensive bowling from India. Varun Chakaravarthy was the standout performer, using his googlies to baffle the Namibian top order and trigger a collapse that saw three wickets fall for almost no runs.
He was expertly supported by Axar Patel, who delivered a wicket-maiden to remove the dangerous Erasmus and effectively end any hopes of a miracle. Jasprit Bumrah provided his usual clinical touch at the death, finishing with 1 for 20, while Hardik Pandya’s double-strike in the 18th over left the tail exposed before Shivam Dube claimed the final wicket via a hit-wicket dismissal.
Kishan and Pandya Power India to Massive Total
Earlier in the evening, India’s batting depth was on full display as Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya bookended the innings with explosive cameos. Kishan’s early aggression forced Namibia onto the back foot, while Pandya’s 52 ensured the total crossed the 200-run mark despite a flurry of late wickets.
Namibia showed flashes of brilliance, particularly through Erasmus’s tactical bowling and Louren Steenkamp’s brief counter-attack, but they were ultimately overwhelmed by the skill and experience of the Indian side. This victory solidifies India’s position at the top of Group A, while Namibia will look to take lessons from their competitive early-overs performance.
India has wrapped up a commanding 93-run victory as Namibia's innings comes to a bizarre end. Shivam Dube provided the final blow, though it was Zane Green (11) who effectively dismissed himself, clipping his own stumps while trying to pull a short-of-length delivery. The dismissal perfectly encapsulated Namibia's struggle in the latter half of the chase—disjointed and under immense pressure. After a promising start in the Powerplay, Namibia's middle order collapsed against the mystery spin of Varun Chakaravarthy and the relentless accuracy of the Indian pace attack, losing their final nine wickets for just 59 runs.
Hardik Pandya finishes his spell with a brilliant double-wicket over, though he narrowly missed out on the hat-trick. After dismissing Scholtz and Shikongo with consecutive deliveries earlier in the over, Pandya maintained his discipline against Max Heingo, who managed to survive the hat-trick ball but couldn't find any scoring opportunities. India has been relentless in this final stretch, suffocating the tail and ensuring that Namibia's chase ends in a whimper. With only one wicket remaining and the required rate essentially infinite, the match has reached its inevitable conclusion.
Zane Green 11(17), Max Heingo 0(2)
Namibia need 94 runs in 12 balls. Required run rate 47.00 Namibia
Hardik Pandya is on a hat-trick after a sensational double-strike in consecutive deliveries! Bernard Scholtz (4) was the first to fall, completely deceived by a slower off-cutter that he holed out to Axar Patel at long-on. On the very next ball, Pandya trapped Ben Shikongo right in front with a sharp nip-backer. While Shikongo opted for a desperate review, the delivery was as plumb as they come. India is now just one wicket away from a comprehensive victory, while Pandya stands on the verge of a historic hat-trick.
Zane Green 11(17),
Namibia need 94 runs in 14 balls. Required run rate 40.29 Namibia
Wicket! Jasprit Bumrah completes a masterclass in death bowling, finishing his spell with a wicket to cap off a clinical performance. After keeping the pressure high with three dot balls, Bumrah induced a mistake from Ruben Trumpelmann (6), who holed out trying to force the pace. Bernard Scholtz entered and managed to find the boundary on his second ball, but it was far too little, too late. Bumrah finishes with figures of 1 for 20, leaving Namibia completely stranded as the required rate climbs into the stratosphere.
Zane Green 10(16), Bernard Scholtz 4(2)
Namibia need 95 runs in 18 balls. Required run rate 31.67 Namibia
Namibia need 100 runs in 24 balls. Required run rate 25.00 Namibia
Hardik Pandya returns to the attack and maintains the pressure, conceding just five runs in a very disciplined over. Zane Green and Ruben Trumpelmann struggled to find any timing on a surface that has slowed down significantly, relying on hurried singles and a brace to keep the scoreboard ticking. With the required rate now ballooning toward 21 runs per over, the contest has reached a stage of inevitability as India's bowling unit continues to squeeze the life out of the Namibian chase.
Zane Green 8(12), Ruben Trumpelmann 5(8)
Namibia need 105 runs in 30 balls. Required run rate 21.00 Namibia
Jasprit Bumrah continues to squeeze the life out of this chase, delivering another metronomic over that yielded only four singles. Namibia has finally crossed the 100-run mark, but it has taken them 14 overs to do so, leaving the result beyond doubt. Ruben Trumpelmann and Zane Green are merely going through the motions as Bumrah’s relentless accuracy and subtle changes in pace keep them anchored to the crease. With India’s premier pacer operating at peak efficiency, Namibia's primary goal has shifted from victory to simply batting out their remaining overs.
Ruben Trumpelmann 3(5), Zane Green 5(9)
Namibia need 110 runs in 36 balls. Required run rate 18.33 Namibia
Axar Patel continues his mastery over the Namibian lineup, striking again to remove Malan Kruger (1). After being hit for a rare boundary earlier in the over, Axar responded with a subtle variation that induced a mistake, further deepening the collapse. Ruben Trumpelmann has now joined Zane Green, but the chase has effectively stalled as India’s spinners continue to dominate the middle overs. The required rate has now climbed to a staggering 16.29, leaving the result a mere formality.
Zane Green 3(6), Ruben Trumpelmann 1(2)
Namibia need 114 runs in 42 balls. Required run rate 16.29 Namibia
Jasprit Bumrah returns to the attack and maintains a stranglehold on the Namibian batters, conceding just two singles in a clinical second over. Malan Kruger and Zane Green are finding it nearly impossible to pierce the ring as Bumrah’s pace and nagging accuracy offer no room for error. With the scoreboard pressure mounting, Namibia has completely retreated into a defensive shell, and the required rate is now quickly approaching 15 runs per over. India is firmly in control, needing only a few more breakthroughs to wrap up this contest.
Zane Green 2(5), Malan Kruger 1(7)
Namibia need 120 runs in 48 balls. Required run rate 15.00 Namibia
Namibia need 122 runs in 54 balls. Required run rate 13.56 Namibia
Varun Chakaravarthy has produced a devastating over that might just have sealed the result for India! After removing Loftie-Eaton (13) on the second ball, Chakaravarthy continued to spin a web, claiming the wicket of JJ Smit for a duck just two deliveries later. Smit was completely bamboozled by a sharp googly that crashed into the top of off-stump, leaving the Namibian middle order in tatters. Gerhard Erasmus managed to scramble a single on the final ball to keep strike, but with three wickets falling in the last two overs, Namibia's chase has lost all its momentum. Zane Green has now joined his captain with the monumental task of finding 122 runs from the final 60 balls.
Gerhard Erasmus 18(10), Zane Green 1(1)
Namibia need 122 runs in 60 balls. Required run rate 12.20 Namibia
Varun Chakaravarthy is tearing through the Namibian middle order with a sensational display of mystery spin! After a dot ball to settle in, JJ Smit became Chakaravarthy’s third victim, completely undone by a sharp googly. Smit attempted a heavy-handed swipe to the leg side, but the ball snaked past the blade to clip the top of off-stump. It’s a collapse of significant proportions for Namibia, as they lose two wickets in three balls without adding a single run to the total. Gerhard Erasmus now stands alone as the primary hope for Namibia, as the required rate spirals toward 13 runs per over.
Gerhard Erasmus 17(9), Zane Green 0(0)
Namibia need 124 runs in 62 balls. Required run rate 12.00 Namibia
Wicket! Varun Chakaravarthy strikes again, and this time it’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton who has to make the long walk back to the pavilion! After Gerhard Erasmus rotated the strike on the first ball, Loftie-Eaton tried to take on the mystery spinner but couldn't get the elevation. He holed out to Axar Patel at long-off, who made no mistake with a comfortable catch. Chakaravarthy is proving to be the match-winner for India today, removing both set batters just as they were looking to accelerate. JJ Smit now joins his captain in the middle with a massive task ahead.
Gerhard Erasmus 17(9), JJ Smit 0(0)
Namibia need 124 runs in 64 balls. Required run rate 11.63 Namibia
Axar Patel is introduced into the attack, but the Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus welcomes him with a statement of intent. Erasmus showcased his power by launching two massive sixes into the Delhi night sky, forcing the left-arm spinner to rethink his lengths. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton supported well with sharp running, ensuring Namibia took 14 runs from the over. While the required rate remains high, this counter-attack from the skipper has injected fresh energy into the chase, keeping the Namibian hopes alive as the match reaches the halfway mark.
Gerhard Erasmus 16(8), Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 13(12)
Namibia need 125 runs in 66 balls. Required run rate 11.36 Namibia
Varun Chakaravarthy made a spectacular entry into the game, striking on his very first ball to dismiss the set Louren Steenkamp for 29. The googly completely outfoxed Steenkamp, leaving a gap between bat and pad that the ball ruthlessly found. Following the wicket, the Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus arrived at the crease and showed caution, picking up a couple of runs to get his innings started. Chakaravarthy’s control was evident as he gave away only four runs in the over, effectively stifling Namibia’s attempt to accelerate.
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 12(11), Gerhard Erasmus 3(3)
Namibia need 139 runs in 72 balls. Required run rate 11.58 Namibia
Wicket! Varun Chakaravarthy has made an instant impact, striking with his very first delivery of the match! It was a classic piece of deceptive bowling—a perfectly tossed-up googly that pitched on middle and nipped back sharply. Louren Steenkamp (29), looking to continue his aggressive approach, tried to create room for a drive but was completely undone by the turn. The ball zipped through the "yawning gap" between bat and pad to shatter the stumps, ending a promising knock. India has found the breakthrough they wanted just as the spinners were introduced, putting Namibia back on the defensive.
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 11(9)
Namibia need 143 runs in 77 balls. Required run rate 11.14 Namibia
Jasprit Bumrah enters the attack and immediately provides a "blink-and-you-miss-it" moment of pure theater. On the third ball of the over, Bumrah overstepped to concede a no-ball, but followed it up with a trademark, searing yorker on the free hit that uprooted the stumps. While the wicket didn't count, it served as a terrifying reminder to the Namibian batters of the quality they are facing. Despite the drama and a boundary from Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Bumrah's accuracy ensured Namibia couldn't fully capitalize on the extra deliveries. The required rate continues to hover near 11, and while Namibia is showing heart, the margin for error is shrinking with every Bumrah delivery.
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 11(9), Louren Steenkamp 29(19)
Namibia need 143 runs in 78 balls. Required run rate 11.00 Namibia
Arshdeep Singh’s final over of the Powerplay proved to be an expensive one as Louren Steenkamp decided to go on the offensive. Steenkamp kickstarted the over with back-to-back boundaries, showcasing his range with a stylish cover drive followed by a powerful pull. Despite a wide and some tight deliveries in the middle, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton ended the over with a flourish, launching a massive six to take 17 runs from the set. Namibia has successfully navigated the Powerplay and reached a respectable total, though they still have a mountain to climb against the Indian bowlers.
Louren Steenkamp 29(16), Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 4(5)
Namibia need 153 runs in 84 balls. Required run rate 10.93 Namibia
Shivam Dube enters the attack and delivers a very composed opening over, ensuring Namibia cannot capitalize on the momentum from the previous few boundaries. He focused on a tight stump-to-stump line, frustrating the batters and conceding only singles. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Louren Steenkamp were kept busy but could not find any room to free their arms, as Dube utilized the slow nature of the surface mentioned in the pitch report to his advantage.
Louren Steenkamp 14(11), Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 3(4)
Namibia need 170 runs in 90 balls. Required run rate 11.33 Namibia
Arshdeep Singh breaks the opening partnership just as Jan Frylinck was looking to become a serious threat. After conceding a boundary to Frylinck earlier in the over, Arshdeep kept his composure and induced a false shot, with Shivam Dube taking a sharp catch to send the dangerous left-hander back to the dugout for 22. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton has joined Louren Steenkamp in the middle, and the pair now faces the uphill task of rebuilding while keeping pace with a required rate that has ticked over 11 runs per over.
Louren Steenkamp 10(7), Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 1(2)
Namibia need 176 runs in 96 balls. Required run rate 11.00 Namibia
Jan Frylinck has finally broken the shackles in Hardik Pandya's second over, injecting some much-needed momentum into the Namibian chase. After a quiet start, Frylinck targeted the leg side, clearing the ropes for a massive six and following it up with a crisp boundary to take 13 runs from the over. Louren Steenkamp and Frylinck also looked sharp between the wickets, picking up a couple of singles to keep the scoreboard moving. While India has yet to find a breakthrough, Namibia is starting to show they won't go down without a fight as they bring the target within the 200-run range.
Jan Frylinck 14(12), Louren Steenkamp 9(6)
Namibia need 187 runs in 102 balls. Required run rate 11.00 Namibia
Arshdeep Singh shares the new ball and finds his rhythm immediately, though Louren Steenkamp manages to provide Namibia's first boundary with a well-timed flick through the leg side. Arshdeep adjusted his length beautifully after that four, using his natural swing to keep Jan Frylinck guessing. The Namibian pair is trying to balance aggression with survival, but the Indian pacers have been relentless with their accuracy in these opening exchanges. While eight runs came from the over, the required rate continues to creep toward the 11-run mark.
Louren Steenkamp 7(4), Jan Frylinck 3(8)
Namibia need 200 runs in 108 balls. Required run rate 11.11 Namibia
Hardik Pandya opens the bowling with a superb display of control, immediately putting the Namibian openers under pressure. Jan Frylinck struggled to find any rhythm against Pandya’s tight lines and back-of-length deliveries, managing only a single from the first five balls. Louren Steenkamp played out the final delivery safely to get off the mark, but it’s a very quiet start for the chasing side. With the required rate already climbing, Namibia will need to find a way to break the shackles quickly.
Jan Frylinck 1(5), Louren Steenkamp 1(1)
Namibia need 208 runs in 114 balls. Required run rate 10.95 Namibia
India has set Namibia a target of 210, finishing on 209-9 in an innings of two distinct halves at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The lede of this contest was written early by Ishan Kishan, who dismantled the attack with a brutal 61 off 24 balls, powering India to 100 in just seven overs.
However, the story took a dramatic turn through the middle and death overs as Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus produced a tactical masterclass, finishing with 4 for 20. Erasmus slowed the game down, removing Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav before returning to trigger a late-innings implosion where India lost five wickets for a mere 10 runs in the final 12 deliveries.
Hardik Pandya’s 52 off 28 balls provided the necessary middle-order muscle to push the total past 200, but Namibia will head into the break with massive momentum after completely shutting down the world's most dangerous finishing unit in the final two overs.
The pitch conditions, as noted by the commentators, showed a slight sheen that allowed the ball to come on nicely, though the 2.3 degrees of turn seen in previous games was evident as Erasmus and Scholtz found grip. The short 60m boundary was a constant target, but Namibia's discipline in the final ten overs ensured the target remained within the realm of possibility, even if highly improbable.
The Chase
Namibia faces a daunting task, needing to score at nearly 10.5 runs per over against a top-tier Indian bowling attack. With dew expected to become a factor as the night progresses, the ball may become slippery for the Indian spinners, but the sheer weight of runs remains the primary obstacle.
Runs Required: 210
Balls Remaining: 120
Required Run Rate: 10.50
JJ Smit redeemed his figures in the final over, maintaining a tight line to restrict India to just three runs while picking up two wickets. After a pair of dot balls, Rinku Singh (8) fell trying to force the pace, followed by a frantic final delivery that resulted in another wicket. Despite the late collapse where India lost five wickets for just 10 runs in the final two overs, the damage was already done during the middle-over carnage.
Arshdeep Singh 2(2), Varun Chakaravarthy 1(1)
Gerhard Erasmus has delivered a captain’s over for the ages, completely derailing the Indian finish! The over started with a massive six, but Erasmus responded by taking two wickets in consecutive deliveries to leave the middle order in tatters. The over concluded with another wicket on the final ball, as the Namibian skipper finished his brilliant spell with figures of 4 for 20. In a span of just six balls, India has gone from eyeing a massive finish to losing three wickets for just seven runs, as the momentum shifts back toward the bowling side.
Rinku Singh 1(3), Axar Patel 0(1)
Two wickets in three balls have dramatically stalled India’s charge toward a 250-plus total! Gerhard Erasmus first dismissed the dangerous Hardik Pandya, who departed after a destructive 52, thanks to a stunning catch by substitute Dylan Leicher in the deep. Just two balls later, a major mix-up resulted in Shivam Dube being run out for 23 after Rinku Singh turned down a risky single. From a position of total dominance, India has suddenly lost two set batters in quick succession, leaving Axar Patel and Rinku Singh with the task of finishing the innings.
Hardik Pandya 52(28), Shivam Dube 23(16)
India is now just a single run away from the 200-run milestone! JJ Smit returned for his third over and managed to keep things relatively tidy for the most part, but a well-timed boundary from Shivam Dube ensured India maintained their scoring momentum. Hardik Pandya and Dube focused on hard-run singles to keep the strike rotating, refusing to let the pressure build. While Smit avoided a massive explosion, the nine runs from the over have set the stage perfectly for a grand finale in the final 12 deliveries of the innings.
Hardik Pandya 46(26), Shivam Dube 23(16)
A rare moment of relative calm in the death overs as Ruben Trumpelmann finishes his spell with a disciplined effort! Namibia managed to avoid the big hits in this over, as Trumpelmann stuck to a wide-of-off-stump line that prevented both Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube from getting under the ball. The Indian pair was forced to settle for a string of singles and a leg-bye, but the scoreboard continues to tick over steadily toward the 200-run milestone. Despite the lack of boundaries, India remains firmly in the driver's seat with six wickets in hand and three overs to go.
Hardik Pandya 43(23), Shivam Dube 17(13)
The momentum is now a tidal wave as Hardik Pandya tears into the death overs! After a quiet start to the over, Pandya unleashed a savage assault on Ben Shikongo, clearing the ropes with a flat six before following up with back-to-back boundaries. Shikongo struggled to find his yorker length, and Pandya made him pay dearly by finding the gaps with surgical precision. This 16-run burst has pushed the total toward the 200-run mark, leaving Namibia's bowlers searching for answers as the Indian vice-captain nears a destructive half-century.
Hardik Pandya 41(20), Shivam Dube 14(10)
The floodgates have officially opened in Delhi! India plundered a massive 24 runs from Bernard Scholtz’s final over as Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube decided to shift gears simultaneously. The over got off to a chaotic start with a wide and a massive six from Pandya, followed by a wayward delivery that raced away for five wides. Dube then joined the assault, launching a towering six of his own before finishing the over with a powerful boundary. This explosive sequence has completely destroyed Scholtz’s previously tidy figures and catapulted India toward a formidable total.
Hardik Pandya 26(15), Shivam Dube 13(9)
Drinks Break! India continues to chip away at the total as they enter the final stages of the innings! Ruben Trumpelmann returned to the attack and struggled with his discipline early, conceding a couple of runs and an extra via a wide. However, Shivam Dube provided the exclamation mark for the over on the final delivery, showing his brute strength by dispatching a fuller ball to the boundary for four. With 10 runs coming off the over, the partnership is starting to look settled, and India is now within touching distance of the 150-mark with six overs to spare.
Hardik Pandya 15(11), Shivam Dube 6(7)
The silence in the stadium has finally been broken as Hardik Pandya decides it’s time to take on the spinners! After three tight deliveries to start the over, Pandya picked the length of Bernard Scholtz perfectly and smoked a massive six over the mid-wicket boundary. That strike has released some of the pressure that had been building over the last few overs. Shivam Dube and Pandya followed up with sensible strike rotation, picking up singles to ensure double figures came from the over. India is looking to rebuild, and that big hit might just be the spark they needed.
Hardik Pandya 10(9), Shivam Dube 2(3)
Gerhard Erasmus is turning the game on its head with a sensational display of captaincy and control! After keeping things tight for most of the over, Erasmus struck a decisive blow on the fifth delivery, inducing a mistimed shot from Tilak Varma (25) that was safely pouched by JJ Smit. Erasmus has now accounted for both set left-handers, leaving India’s middle order under immense pressure. With Shivam Dube joining Hardik Pandya at the crease, the Namibian captain has successfully dragged his side back into the contest with a masterful two-run, one-wicket over.
Hardik Pandya 2(5), Shivam Dube 0(1)
Bernard Scholtz has turned the tide in Delhi with a masterclass in left-arm spin! After outfoxing the Indian captain with a brilliant stumping on the first delivery, Scholtz gave Hardik Pandya no room to breathe, conceding only a single and a couple of dot balls. Tilak Varma also struggled to find his timing against the tightening lines, managing just one run off the over. This two-run over, combined with the prized wicket of Suryakumar Yadav, has seen Namibia claw their way back as the Indian scoring rate takes a sudden dip.
Tilak Varma 24(17), Hardik Pandya 1(4)
Wicket! Namibia has pulled off another massive blow as Bernard Scholtz outsmarts the Indian captain! Suryakumar Yadav (12) danced down the track looking to dominate, but Scholtz showed great composure to drag the length back. Zane Green did the rest behind the stumps with a lightning-fast stumping to send the skipper back to the dugout. After a blistering start, India is suddenly finding itself in a middle-order scrap as the Namibian spinners continue to chip away with crucial wickets.
Tilak Varma 23(16), Hardik Pandya 0(0)
Suryakumar Yadav is starting to find his rhythm as India reaches the halfway mark in a strong position! After a couple of quiet overs, the Indian captain broke the shackles by launching Gerhard Erasmus over the ropes for a magnificent six on the fourth delivery. Erasmus had kept things tight with a wide and a few singles, but that one big hit ensured India added double figures to the total. At the mid-way point, India is well-placed to launch a massive assault in the final ten overs.
Suryakumar Yadav 12(12), Tilak Varma 23(16)
Namibia is finally beginning to apply some pressure as Bernard Scholtz delivers a tidy opening over. After a dot ball to start, India's pair of Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav were limited to five consecutive singles, unable to find the boundary against Scholtz's pinpoint accuracy. While India is still scoring at a healthy clip, the frantic pace of the Powerplay has settled into a more tactical battle in the middle overs.
Tilak Varma 22(15), Suryakumar Yadav 4(7)
Gerhard Erasmus has produced a sensational over to drag Namibia back into the contest! After removing the dangerous Ishan Kishan with his very first delivery, the Namibian captain showcased immense control by stringing together a series of dot balls against India's new batting pair. Suryakumar Yadav managed to get off the mark with a single, but Erasmus ensured no boundaries were conceded in a masterclass of defensive spin bowling. This over has momentarily halted the Indian juggernaut, providing a much-needed breather for the bowling side.
Tilak Varma 20(13), Suryakumar Yadav 1(3)
Wicket! Gerhard Erasmus strikes with his very first ball to provide the massive breakthrough Namibia desperately needed! After a breathtaking innings, Ishan Kishan (61) looks to continue his aggressive onslaught but fails to get the required distance on his shot. Ben Shikongo makes no mistake in the deep, safely pouching the catch to end a dangerous 79-run partnership. The captain has stepped up at a crucial moment, finally removing Kishan and giving Namibia a chance to stem the runaway scoring rate.
Tilak Varma 20(11), Suryakumar Yadav 0(0)
The carnage continues in Delhi as India storms past the century mark in record time! Max Heingo’s introduction to the attack did little to stem the flow of runs, as Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma dismantled the newcomer with ease. Kishan signaled his intent with a boundary and a massive six, while Tilak joined the party by finding the fence with a sublime stroke. With 18 runs coming from the over, India is scoring at a frightening pace, leaving the Namibian captain with plenty of tactical headaches as the partnership crosses the 75-run mark.
Ishan Kishan 61(23), Tilak Varma 20(11)
Ishan Kishan has absolutely demolished the final over of the Powerplay! In a breathtaking display of power hitting, Kishan took JJ Smit to the cleaners, clobbering four consecutive sixes that sailed deep into the stands. He didn't stop there, finishing the over with an authoritative boundary to bring up a sensational 20-ball half-century. This 28-run explosion has catapulted India to a massive total at the end of the first six overs, leaving the Namibian bowlers searching for answers after a brutal assault.
Ishan Kishan 50(20), Tilak Varma 13(8)
India has shifted into high gear as the Powerplay reaches its climax! Tilak Varma took a liking to Ruben Trumpelmann's return, finding the boundary three times in a high-scoring over. After opening with a four, Tilak followed up with a crisp drive and a clever flick to keep the fielders chasing leather. Ishan Kishan also contributed with a hard-run brace as the pair efficiently exploited the fielding restrictions. With 15 runs coming off the over, India has cruised past the 50-run mark in double-quick time.
Ishan Kishan 22(14), Tilak Varma 13(8)
The runs continue to flow for India as they approach the 50-mark! Ben Shikongo returned for his second over and was greeted by a crisp boundary from Ishan Kishan, who is looking increasingly comfortable in the middle. Tilak Varma and Kishan showed good game awareness by picking up four singles to keep the scoreboard moving throughout the over. While Shikongo managed to avoid the big hits after the boundary, the eight runs coming off the over have kept India in a very strong position early in the innings.
Ishan Kishan 17(12), Tilak Varma 3(4)
India is maintaining a brisk scoring rate despite the early loss of Sanju Samson! Ishan Kishan took charge in this over, showing great intent by carving JJ Smit through the gaps for back-to-back boundaries. Tilak Varma, the new man in, successfully rotated the strike with a single to get his innings underway. Although Smit managed to close the over with a dot ball, the 10 runs conceded have allowed India to keep the pressure firmly on the Namibian bowlers as the Powerplay continues.
Ishan Kishan 11(8), Tilak Varma 1(2)
Wicket! A roller-coaster over comes to a dramatic end! Sanju Samson launched a brutal assault on Ben Shikongo, hammering two consecutive sixes followed by a crisp boundary to race into the twenties. However, just as India looked set to run away with the Powerplay, Shikongo had the final laugh. On the last ball, Samson looked to clear the fence once more but mistimed his shot, resulting in a crucial breakthrough for Namibia. Despite the wicket, the 17-run over has ensured India's run rate remains high.
Sanju Samson 22(8), Ishan Kishan 2(4)
A massive hit to end the over has given India the early momentum they were looking for! Ruben Trumpelmann started with a wayward wide but quickly recovered, pinning Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan down with four consecutive dot balls and a single. However, on the final delivery, Samson picked the length perfectly and dispatched a fuller ball over the ropes for a towering six. That maximum has injected immediate life into the Delhi crowd as the openers find their footing.
Sanju Samson 6(4), Ishan Kishan 1(2)
The stage is set at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi for this high-octane Group A encounter! Namibia has won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit any early moisture before the dew becomes a factor. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is ready to bat first, with Sanju Samson coming into the side for the unwell Abhishek Sharma. All eyes are on the center as the openers walk out to begin India's quest for a dominant total on this flat Delhi surface.
Sanju Samson 0(0), Ishan Kishan 0(0)
The coin has landed in favor of Gerhard Erasmus at the Arun Jaitley Stadium for Match 18 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Seeking to bounce back from their opening loss to the Netherlands, Namibia has won the toss and elected to field first against tournament favorites, India.
Captain's Words:
"We are going to have a bowl. It is a very good flat cricketing surface; from a surface and dew point of view, it is the right thing to do. We need to be clinical early on and keep the Indian batters under pressure." — Gerhard Erasmus
"We don't mind batting first. It's a high-scoring ground, and we want to put a big total on the board and let our bowlers do the rest. The crowd here in Delhi is incredible, and we want to give them a good show tonight." — Suryakumar Yadav
Official Playing XIs
India XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.
Namibia XI: Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (C), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Max Heingo.
India Probable XI: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
Namibia Probable XI: Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Max Heingo