India take on Namibia in a crucial T20 World Cup clash as the Men in Blue look to build momentum before facing Pakistan. With Bumrah’s likely return and batting in focus, fans expect a strong all-round performance.
India vs Namibia T20 showdown
Namibia pick up 13 runs in the third over to move to 23 without loss.
Namibia move to 10 without loss after two overs, collecting 8 runs off Arshdeep Singh’s first over. Louren Steenkamp looks positive, striking a crisp boundary through backward point, while Jan Frylinck survives a mistimed swipe that nearly carried to the deep. Arshdeep mixes his lengths and pace, including a deceptive slower full toss, but Namibia rotate strike well to keep the scoreboard ticking early in the chase.
Just 3 runs and two wickets in the final over (0 0 W 1 1 W1) as India close at 209/9. Arshdeep Singh is run out for 2 off the last ball, with Smit finishing 4-0-50-1. Namibia pull things back brilliantly at the death.
Smit’s persistence pays off at the death! After a tough powerplay, he makes a superb comeback as Rinku Singh miscues a full delivery on leg and holes out to Erasmus at long-on for 1 (6).
Gerhard Erasmus delivers another big blow as Axar Patel is clean bowled for a golden duck! Namibia clawing back with quick wickets at the death.
Hardik Pandya brings up a blazing half-century with a six but departs the very next ball! Erasmus gets the breakthrough as Hardik is caught by sub Dylan Leicher for 52 off 28 (4 fours, 4 sixes). Big wicket at a crucial stage.
A tight over from Ruben Trumpelmann yields just 6 runs (1 1 1 L1 1 1) as India move to 190/4 after 17 overs. Hardik Pandya advances to 43 (23), while Shivam Dube reaches 17 (13). Trumpelmann finishes an impressive spell of 4-0-38-0, keeping Namibia in the fight.
A 16-run over (0 1 1 6 4 4) swings the momentum back India’s way as they reach 184/4 after 16 overs. Hardik Pandya is in beast mode at 41 (20), smashing two fours and a towering six off Ben Shikongo, who now has figures of 3-0-41-1. Shivam Dube supports with 14 (10) as the duo eye a 220-plus total.
Bernard Scholtz delivers a crucial breakthrough as Suryakumar Yadav is brilliantly stumped by Zane Green. Namibia pull things back after India’s early surge, dismissing the skipper for 12 off 13 balls.
A productive over yields 10 runs (Wd 0 1 1 6 0 1) as India move to 120/2. Suryakumar Yadav steadies on 12 (12), while Tilak Varma looks fluent on 23 (16), keeping the scoreboard ticking.
India blaze their way to the fastest team 100 of the tournament, continuing their explosive batting display and putting the opposition under immense pressure early in the innings.
Ishan Kishan goes berserk in the final over of the powerplay, smashing four sixes and a four to race to a stunning half-century off just 20 balls. India storm to 86/1 in 6 overs in a commanding start.
India lose their first wicket as Sanju Samson departs after a blazing over that included three sixes and a four. A quick cameo that electrified the crowd but ends just when momentum was building.
India vs Namibia T20 WC 2026 Live Updates: NAM wins toss and opts to bowl first vs IND in Delhi
New Delhi: Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus won the toss and chose to bat first against India. Suryakumar Yadav’s side began their T20 World Cup campaign with a win over the USA, though not without a few tense moments for fans at Wankhede. A brilliant knock from the skipper and a disciplined bowling display sealed the victory.
On a flat Delhi pitch, India will look to sharpen their batting ahead of Sunday’s high-voltage clash against Pakistan. Jasprit Bumrah is likely to return in place of Mohammed Siraj. Despite Namibia’s loss to the Netherlands, India will remain cautious of their experienced players.
