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Hardik Pandya's all-round heroics saw India bulldoze Namibia by 93 runs in their T20 World Cup 2026 on February 12. After robust show both with the bat and ball, Hardik Pandya opened up about his current form, attributing his success to a clear mental state and rigorous physical conditioning. He noted that he is genuinely 'enjoying the sport' again, having spent the last two months focusing on finding his rhythm and ensuring his body was fully prepared for the demands of a World Cup.
Hardik Pandya's 'army-like training' behind his top T20 World Cup form
The dashing all-rounder emphasised that his performance is the result of significant behind-the-scenes effort, including an 'army-style' training camp. This self-imposed regimen involved double training sessions, disciplined eating, and strict sleep habits to ensure he reached peak fitness.
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Pandya also expressed a deep sense of pride in his batting, describing it as a skill he holds 'close to his heart'. While he embraces his role as an all-rounder who must manage both disciplines, he admitted that contributing a match-winning knock feels like 'sugar on the cake'. His 28-ball 52 against Namibia served as a clear validation of the hard work he put in during the lead-up to the tournament.
"Just enjoying the sport, had a good couple of months to prepare. Touchwood, everything is going well. I've always taken pride as a batter. When it comes off, it adds more sugar to the cake. The body has been fantastic; it takes a lot of hard work, which I value. Playing for the country is the No. 1 priority," Pandya said at the post-match press conference.
"I do an army-like camp a month before the tournament. We have a lot of options, pacers and spin covered. Varun, Axar and Kuldeep too. They've done a tremendous job. Two back-to-back pitches haven't been batting-friendly, wicket was holding a bit today. You just adapt and let your skill-set work. We'd like a little more flat wickets," he added.
'Pandya-Kishan' special sinks Namibia
In a dominant display at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, India posted a massive total of 209/9 in their allotted 20 overs. The foundation was laid by wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who decimated the bowling with a 24-ball 61, featuring six boundaries and five sixes. Hardik Pandya provided the late-innings surge with a 28-ball 52, highlighted by four boundaries and four towering maximums.
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Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus was the standout performer for the bowling side, claiming a historic four-wicket haul with figures of 4/20. He was supported by Ben Shikongo, Bernard Scholtz, and JJ Smit, who each picked up a single wicket, though they were unable to prevent the Indian side from crossing the double-century mark.
Faced with a daunting target of 210, Namibia's chase got off to a steady start with Louren Steenkamp (29 off 22) and Jan Frylinck (22 off 15) finding the boundary early. However, neither was able to capitalize on their promising start. Captain Erasmus also struggled to make an impact with the bat, falling for 18 as the Indian bowlers tightened their grip on the game.
The Namibian batting lineup eventually collapsed under the pressure, with no player reaching the 30-run mark. They were bundled out for a mere 116 in 18.2 overs, handing India a comprehensive 93-run victory. Varun Chakaravarthy was the pick of the bowlers with an incredible 3/7, while Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each to seal a one-sided contest.
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