The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 saw India deliver a dominant performance against Namibia in Match 18 at Delhi on February 12. India won by 93 runs after posting a massive 209/9 in their 20 overs. Hardik Pandya stole the show with an all-round display that earned him the Player of the Match award.
For Namibia, Louren Steenkamp fought hard with 29 runs off 20 balls. But India’s bowlers were simply too good. They bundled out Namibia for just 116 runs in 18.2 overs.
Match Summary: IND vs NAM
Here is the complete match summary of this one-sided Group A encounter:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| India Score | 209/9 (20 overs) |
| Namibia Score | 116 all out (18.2 overs) |
| Match Result | India won by 93 runs |
| Best Batting (IND) | Ishan Kishan – 61 off 24 balls (6 fours, 5 sixes) |
| Best Batting (NAM) | Louren Steenkamp – 29 off 20 balls (3 fours, 1 six) |
| Best Bowling (IND) | Varun Chakravarthy – 3/7 in 2 overs (Econ: 3.50) |
| Player of the Match | Hardik Pandya (IND) |
India won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision paid off as opener Ishan Kishan launched a brutal assault on Namibia’s bowling attack from the very first over.
India Innings: 209/9 in 20 Overs
Ishan Kishan set the tone with a blistering 61 off just 24 balls. He smashed six fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 254.16. His fifty came off just 20 balls with five fours and four sixes. India raced to 50 in just 4.3 overs.
Sanju Samson fell early for 22 off 8 balls. But his quick cameo included one four and three sixes at a strike rate of 275. India reached 100 in just 6.5 overs with aggressive batting.
Tilak Varma contributed 25 off 21 balls with three fours. Captain Suryakumar Yadav added 12 off 13 balls before Scholtz stumped him off Green’s bowling.
Hardik Pandya played a crucial knock of 52 off 28 balls. He hit four fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 185.71. His fifty came off 27 balls. Shivam Dube scored 23 off 16 balls.
Gerhard Erasmus was the pick of Namibia’s bowlers with 4/20 in his 4 overs. Bernard Scholtz took 1/41 while Ben Shikongo and JJ Smit picked up one wicket each. India finished with 209/9 at a run rate of 10.45.
Namibia Chase: 116 All Out in 18.2 Overs
Namibia’s chase started with hope as they reached 50 in 5.4 overs. Louren Steenkamp looked solid with 29 off 20 balls. He hit three fours and one six at a strike rate of 145. Jan Frylinck added 22 off 15 balls with three fours and a six.
But India’s spinners turned the game around. Varun Chakravarthy bowled a brilliant spell of 3/7 in just 2 overs. His economy of 3.50 choked Namibia’s middle order. He dismissed Steenkamp, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, and JJ Smit.
Captain Gerhard Erasmus tried to fight with 18 off 11 balls. But Axar Patel got him caught by Tilak Varma. Axar finished with 2/20 in his 3 overs.
Namibia lost wickets in a heap. They went from 67/2 to 116 all out. Zane Green hit wicket off Shivam Dube’s bowling for 11. Hardik Pandya wrapped up the tail with 2/21. He dismissed Bernard Scholtz and Ben Shikongo in quick succession.
Jasprit Bumrah picked up 1/20 in his 4 overs. Arshdeep Singh took 1/36. Namibia’s innings ended in 18.2 overs with a run rate of just 6.32.
Key Highlight: Player of the Match – Hardik Pandya’s All-Round Show
The Indian all-rounder delivered a match-winning performance:
With the bat: 52 off 28 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes)
With the ball: 2/21 in 4 overs (Economy: 5.25)
Dot balls: 12
Pandya’s fifty came at a crucial time when India needed to accelerate. He then returned to clean up Namibia’s tail. His dismissals of Bernard Scholtz and Ben Shikongo sealed India’s comprehensive victory.
