Kishan-Pandya power show: India thrash Namibia by 93 runs, extend T20 World Cup winning streak to 10

Explosive batting by Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya, followed by a lethal bowling display, powered India to a dominant win over Namibia at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Team India delivered a commanding all-round performance at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, to outclass Namibia by 93 runs in a high-scoring T20 World Cup encounter. Explosive batting in the first half, followed by relentless bowling, ensured a comprehensive victory and extended India’s winning streak in the tournament to ten matches.

After losing the toss, India were asked to bat first and got off to a flying start. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan provided early momentum, attacking the Namibian bowlers from the start. Samson smashed three sixes and a boundary in just eight balls, scoring a brisk 22 before getting out. Kishan continued the assault, playing a breathtaking knock of 61 runs off just 24 deliveries, including five boundaries and six towering sixes.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav had a brief stay at the crease, hitting one six before departing. Tilak Varma contributed 25 runs from 21 balls, but the real acceleration came when Hardik Pandya walked in at number five. Pandya stitched a crucial partnership with Shivam Dube and launched a stunning counter-attack. He scored a magnificent 81 off 39 balls, blasting four boundaries and six sixes. Dube added 23 runs before being run out, while Axar Patel and Rinku Singh were dismissed cheaply. India finished their 20 overs at a formidable 209 for 9, with Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus picking up four wickets.

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Defending the big total, India’s bowlers produced a disciplined and aggressive display. Namibia never settled during the chase. Openers struggled to find rhythm, and early wickets derailed their momentum. Jan Frylinck briefly entertained with 22 runs, including three boundaries and a six, before falling to Arshdeep Singh.

Lauren Steenkamp scored 29 off 19 balls but was dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy, who also removed Loftie Eaton for 13. JJ Smit departed without scoring. Captain Erasmus struck two big sixes before Axar Patel sent him back. Malan Kruger fell to a sharp catch by Jasprit Bumrah, who also dismissed Ruben Trumpelmann.

In the 18th over, Hardik Pandya removed Bernard Scholtz and Ben Shikongo in quick succession. Shivam Dube sealed the match by clean bowling Zane Green in the 19th over. Namibia were bowled out for 116, handing India a convincing 93-run victory.