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India vs Namibia T20 WC: India hammer Namibia in dominant win by 93-runs as Kishan, Varun and Hardik shine

The victory keeps India unbeaten in the tournament following their opening win over the USA and provides crucial momentum ahead of their highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on February 15.

Neha Buswal | New Delhi | February 12, 2026 7:00 pm

India vs Namibia T20 WC: India hammer Namibia in dominant win by 93-runs as Kishan, Varun and Hardik shine

India's Arshdeep Singh celebrates after dismissing Namibia's Jan Frylinck during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match between India and Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, in New Delhi on Thursday, February 12, 2026. (Photo: IANS/Qamar Sibtain)

India registered a commanding 93-run victory over Namibia in Match 18 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday, strengthening their position in Group A.

After Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus won the toss and opted to bowl on a batting-friendly surface, India produced a strong batting display, led by Ishan Kishan’s explosive 61 off 24 innings, with a valuable 52 off 28 balls from Hardik Pandya, to post an imposing 209/9 in 20 overs.

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In reply, Namibia’s chase never gained momentum as India’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance. Varun Chakravarthy’s spin proved decisive in the middle overs as he took 3 wickets, while Hardik Pandya (2) and Jasprit Bumrah (1) struck at crucial intervals to dismantle the Namibian batting line-up. The visitors were bowled out for 116 in 18.2 overs, handing India a comprehensive win.

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The victory keeps India unbeaten in the tournament following their opening win over the USA and provides crucial momentum ahead of their highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on February 15. Namibia, meanwhile, remain in search of their first official win after defeats to the Netherlands and India, despite showing promise in a warm-up win over Scotland.

Hardik Pandya received the POTM

Hardik Pandya was named Player of the Match, and said he was enjoying his cricket and felt physically and mentally prepared.

“I’m really enjoying my cricket right now, and the preparation over the last couple of months has truly paid off. I’ve always taken pride in my batting, and when performances click, it feels like an extra layer of sweetness,” Pandya said.

“Physically, I’m in a great place, there’s a lot of hard work behind it, and I value that process deeply. Playing for the country remains my biggest motivation, and I train like a soldier before every major tournament.”

He also praised India’s bowling unit and acknowledged the challenges of batting on recent pitches.

“Our bowling unit is well stocked with both pace and spin, Varun, Axar, and Kuldeep have been outstanding. The last two pitches haven’t been the easiest for batting, but adapting to conditions is part of the job; though yes, a slightly flatter wicket would always be welcome.”


Namibia collapse as India seal dominant 93-run win

Hardik Pandya led India’s bowling attack after the hosts posted a big total, with Lourens Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck opening the batting for Namibia.

Pandya bowled a tight first over, conceding just two runs. Arshdeep Singh followed with the second over, giving away eight runs, including a boundary. Frylinck then counterattacked, hitting Pandya for a six and a four, but Arshdeep struck back in the fourth over, dismissing him after conceding two boundaries, with Shivam Dube taking the catch. Namibia were 33/1 at that stage.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton came in next, but India’s spinners soon took control. Varun Chakravarthy made an immediate impact in the eighth over, dismissing Steenkamp with his first ball, the batter stayed leg-side to open up the off-side, but the googly beat him and crashed into the stumps.

Captain Gerhard Erasmus arrived and struck two sixes off Axar Patel in the ninth over, but Varun struck again in the 10th, removing Loftie-Eaton, caught by Axar. JJ Smit fell soon after, dismissed by Varun on the second ball he faced, as Namibia slipped into deeper trouble.

Axar joined the party in the 11th over, dismissing Erasmus, who was caught by Tilak Varma, leaving Namibia at 88/5. Malan Kruger followed but failed to accelerate, and Bumrah delivered a miserly 12th over, conceding just two runs.

Axar returned in the 13th over to remove Kruger, who had struck a boundary on the previous ball but was caught by Jasprit Bumrah. Ruben Trumpelmann came in next, but Bumrah continued his stranglehold, conceding just four runs in the 14th over. Hardik Pandya bowled the 15th, giving away five runs.

Shivam Dube bowled the 16th over, which included a no-ball and two wides, conceding five runs. Bumrah struck again in the 17th over, yorking Trumpelmann. Bernard Scholtz came in and struck a boundary, but Pandya dismissed him in the 18th over, caught by Axar Patel.

Ben Shikongo was dismissed on the first ball he faced, and Max Heingo walked in. In the 19th over, Dube dismissed Zane Green in dramatic fashion, Green attempted a reverse sweep but hit the stumps, as Namibia were bowled out for 116 in 18.2 overs.

India clinched a commanding 93-run victory.

India post 209/9 in 20 overs


Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson opened the batting for India, with Ruben Trumpelmann taking the new ball for Namibia. Samson started aggressively, striking two sixes and a four before Ben Shikongo struck in the second over to dismiss him. Tilak Varma walked in to replace Samson, while Kishan continued to find boundaries, hitting two fours in the third over and another in the fourth.


India accelerated in the fifth and sixth overs as Kishan and Tilak took charge. Kishan hammered four sixes and a four in a massive sixth over to give India early momentum, while Tilak also found the boundary regularly. Kishan continued his assault in the seventh over, adding a six and a four, but Namibia fought back in the eighth over as captain Gerhard Erasmus removed him. Kishan mistimed a pull shot and was caught at mid-wicket by Shikongo after a blistering knock.

Suryakumar Yadav came in next but failed to capitalise on the start, departing for 12 in the 11th over. Bernard Scholtz bowled a sharp delivery outside off stump that spun past SKY’s attempted loft, with Zane Green effecting a swift stumping.

Hardik Pandya then joined Tilak Varma, but Tilak soon fell, caught by JJ Smit off Erasmus. Shivam Dube walked in and provided crucial support as the duo stabilised the innings. Dube smashed a towering six, while Pandya struck boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. Pandya was particularly effective in the 16th over, hitting a six and two fours to push India towards a big total.


The 19th over proved dramatic, with three quick wickets falling. Pandya was caught by Dylan Leicher off Erasmus, while Dube was run out after a sharp throw from Shikongo. Axar Patel fell on the first ball he faced, further denting India’s momentum. The drama continued in the final over as Rinku Singh was dismissed by JJ Smit, caught at long-on by Erasmus.

Varun Chakaravarthy came in at the end but was run out on the final ball while attempting a second run. India eventually finished on 209/9 in 20 overs.

Captains’ Take After the Toss

Gerhard Erasmus (Namibia Captain):

“We’ve chosen to bowl first because the surface looks flat and true, ideal for setting things up with the ball. With dew likely to settle later, it makes sense to take advantage of early conditions. For us, it’s about sharpening our skills and building stronger partnerships when our turn to bat comes. The wicket looks excellent, and we’re here to play positive cricket and entertain the crowd. It’s always a privilege to play in India, where the atmosphere is fantastic. We’ve made two changes, bringing in an extra seamer—Ben Shikongo replaces Willem Myburgh.”

Suryakumar Yadav (India Captain):

“We were planning to bat first anyway, so the toss didn’t really affect us—winning games matters more than winning tosses. Defending a total is great preparation, especially in a long tournament where dew can significantly influence the second innings. Putting up a score and backing our bowlers builds confidence and helps us understand different match scenarios. The pitch looks excellent, and I hope the batters enjoy themselves with such a lively crowd.”

Giving an update on Abhishek sharma’s illness, Captain said:

“Abhishek is still recovering and might need another game or two, so Sanju replaces him, offering a similar explosive option. Bumrah also returns in place of Siraj. With the fans cheering loudly, we’re eager to give them a memorable night and personally, I’m loving my rhythm right now.”

India vs Namibia T20 world cup 2026: Playing XI

Namibia:

Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus(c), JJ Smit, Zane Green(w), Ruben Trumpelmann, Malan Kruger, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Max Heingo

India:

Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

India vs Namibia T20 world cup 2026: Live Streaming Details

The India vs Namibia T20 World Cup 2026 match will be available live in India via:

  • Live Streaming: JioHotstar app and website
  • TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, and HD channels)

Coverage is available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Additional feeds for India matches will also be provided in Marathi and Indian Sign Language.

International Broadcasters

  • United Kingdom: Sky Sports Cricket and NOW
  • United States: Willow TV and Sling TV
  • Pakistan: PTV Sports, Myco, and Tamasha
  • Australia: Prime Video
  • New Zealand: Sky Sport
  • South Africa: SuperSport
  • Rest of the World: ICC.tv (free streaming in select territories)

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