New Delhi, (UNI) Hardik Pandya’s all-round brilliance and Varun Chakravarthy’s incisive spin led the charge, as India crushed Namibia by 93 runs in a Group A game of the T20 World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday.
Sent into bat, the Men in Blue relied on their explosive top order to set the tone. Ishan Kishan’s 61 off just 24 deliveries was a masterclass in timing and power, combining flicks, pulls, and lofted drives to keep Namibia’s bowlers guessing.
Sanju Samson followed with a fiery 22 off 8 balls, sending a strong message that India intended to dominate from start to finish. Tilak Varma’s quick 25 and Shivam Dube’s 23 provided crucial momentum in the middle overs, helping India post a formidable 209/9 — a total that proved more than challenging for Namibia.
But it was Hardik Pandya who stole the spotlight. His 52-ball innings, featuring towering sixes and crisp boundaries, laid the foundation for India’s imposing total. Yet his impact extended far beyond batting.
Introduced into the attack at a crucial juncture, Pandya applied relentless pressure with the ball. He came agonisingly close to a hat-trick, dismissing Ben Shikongo leg before, Bernard Scholtz caught at long-on, and Zane Green hit wicket.
His clever variations, pace, and use of angles in the death overs showcased his growth into a complete T20 all-rounder capable of altering the course of a match.
Varun Chakravarthy was equally pivotal, picking up three key wickets for just seven runs. His spin, accuracy, and subtle changes of pace rattled Namibia’s top and middle order, denying them any opportunity to build partnerships.
The combination of Pandya and Chakravarthy’s incisive bowling ensured Namibia never found a foothold in the match.
Early breakthroughs from Axar Patel (2/20), Jasprit Bumrah (1/20), and Arshdeep Singh (1/36), along with sharp Indian fielding, added to Namibia’s woes.
Stunning catches by Bumrah at long-off, Tilak Varma in the deep, and Shivam Dube in the inner circle punctuated the opposition’s collapse, reflecting India’s fielding excellence at the highest level.
Namibia’s captain, Gerhard Erasmus, tried valiantly, taking four wickets and contributing with the bat, but lacked support from the rest of the lineup.
Louren Steenkamp top-scored for Namibia with 29, but the rest of the batting order crumbled under the relentless pressure from India’s bowlers and fielders.
By the time the final ball was bowled, Namibia were bundled out for 141, handing India a comprehensive 93-run victory. The win not only boosted India’s net run rate in Group A but also sent a clear warning to the other tournament contenders: with Hardik Pandya in such commanding form and Varun Chakravarthy spinning webs of control, India is capable of overwhelming any opposition.
The match was a showcase of India’s depth, balance, and versatility. The top order provided explosive strokeplay, the lower order added finishing touches, and the bowlers, led by Pandya and Chakravarthy, executed with precision. For fans, it was a thrilling blend of power-hitting, tactical bowling, and sharp fielding — a classic T20 spectacle.
As celebrations ensued in the Indian camp, the spotlight rightly shone on Hardik Pandya, whose all-round performance reminded everyone why he remains a cornerstone of India’s T20 ambitions.
Alongside the silky spin of Varun, Pandya’s display reinforced India’s credentials as a powerhouse in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Brief Scores: India 209/9 (Ishan Kishan 61, Hardik Pandya 52, Shivam Dube 23, Sanju Samson 22, Tilak Varma 25, Suryakumar Yadav 12), Namibia 141 all out (Louren Steenkamp 29, Gerhard Erasmus 18, Loftie-Eaton 13, Zane Green 11, Ben Shikongo 0); Bowling – Hardik Pandya 2/21, Varun Chakravarthy 3/7, Jasprit Bumrah 1/20, Axar Patel 2/20, Arshdeep Singh 1/36.
T20WC: Pandya, Chakravarthy shine as India crush Namibia
