India made it two in two in the T20 World Cup 2026 after hammering Namibia by 93 runs riding on Hardik Pandya's all-round heroics and Ishan Kishan's batting blitz at the Arun Jaitley stadium in New Delhi on February 12.
India annihilate Namibia by 93 runs
Ishan Kishan's 24-ball 61 and Hardik Pandya's 28-ball 52 saw India post a colossal total of 209/9. In reply, Namibia were folded for just 116, thanks to Pandya's 2/21. This was India's biggest in their T20 World Cup history in terms of runs.
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India's biggest wins in T20 World Cup (by runs)
93 runs - vs Namibia (2026)
90 runs - vs England (2012)
73 runs - vs Australia (2014)
71 runs - vs Zimbabwe (2022)
68 runs - vs England (2024)
Namibia run out of steam in big chase
In their pursuit of a mammoth 210, Namibia's openers Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck began with a clear sense of purpose. The pair showed significant flair from the outset, maintaining an aggressive scoring rate of 10 runs per over to keep their side in the hunt early on. The breakthrough for India came through Arshdeep Singh, who dismissed the dangerous Frylinck for 22 off just 15 deliveries. Despite the loss, Steenkamp continued to find the boundary regularly, guiding Namibia to a strong 57/1 by the end of the powerplay. This total marked Namibia’s most productive six-over start in T20 World Cup history.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically when the world’s top-ranked T20I bowler, Varun Chakaravarthy, was introduced. With his very first ball, he clean-bowled Steenkamp for 29, ending a threatening opening stand. While skipper Gerhard Erasmus briefly countered with two massive sixes off Axar Patel, Chakaravarthy quickly regained control by dismissing Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and JJ Smit in a devastating three-ball sequence.
Axar Patel soon joined the onslaught, bouncing back from a tough start to dismantle Namibia’s middle order. He claimed the vital wicket of Erasmus and followed it up with a wicket-maiden to leave the opposition reeling. Axar struck again shortly after, as Jasprit Bumrah completed a sensational diving catch to remove Malan Kruger, who had just managed to heave a boundary over mid-on.
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The tail had no answer for India’s pace spearhead, as Bumrah unleashed one of his trademark "toe-crushers" to bowl Ruben Trumpelmann for 6. The relentless pressure from both the spinners and the seamers ensured Namibia’s chase fell apart completely, sealing a dominant victory for the hosts.
Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan roar with robust fifties
Earlier, Kishan and Pandya powered India to a formidable 209/9 during their Group A encounter. While Kishan ignited the innings with a lightning-fast 61 off 24 balls, Pandya provided the late-innings fireworks with 52 off 28 deliveries. Despite the onslaught, Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus delivered a standout performance, claiming career-best figures of 4/20 using his unorthodox, "slingy" variations to keep the score within reach.
The Indian innings began with a high-octane start as Sanju Samson quickly asserted dominance, lofting a massive six in the opening over. He followed up with a barrage of boundaries in the second over before falling for an 8-ball 22. Undeterred, Kishan took complete control, reaching a record-breaking half-century in just 20 balls. His aggression helped India post 86/1 in the powerplay—the highest six-over total of the tournament, and reach 100 in just seven overs. The momentum shifted when Erasmus introduced himself into the attack, dismissing Kishan with his very first delivery. Alongside Bernard Scholtz, Erasmus applied a middle-over squeeze that slowed India's rapid progress. While Pandya and Shivam Dube managed to rebuild with an 81-run partnership, the final two overs proved chaotic for the Men in Blue. Namibia’s disciplined death bowling resulted in five wickets falling for very few runs, ensuring the target didn't spiral out of control.
Ultimately, India’s total of 209/9 stands as a testament to their batting depth, even as Namibia walked away with their heads high after a spirited fightback in the field. With this total on the board and a potent bowling attack ready, the hosts appear firmly in the driver's seat as they look to maintain their unbeaten streak in the tournament.
The middle phase of the innings saw India face a significant challenge as captain Suryakumar Yadav struggled to read Gerhard Erasmus’s unorthodox "slingy" deliveries. This pressure eventually told when Yadav was stumped for 12 off the bowling of Bernard Scholtz. Erasmus soon struck again, dismissing Tilak Varma for a low score after a miscued shot to long-off, leaving the Indian side in a vulnerable position at 124/4.
To steady the ship, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube initiated a rebuilding effort. After a cautious start against the spinners, Pandya broke the tension by launching Scholtz for a towering six and driving Ruben Trumpelmann through extra cover for a boundary. Dube joined the onslaught by unleashing a massive 107-meter pull shot, followed by a 24-run demolition of Scholtz’s final over that included several boundaries and helped shift the momentum back toward the hosts.
The aggression continued into the death overs as Pandya dismantled Ben Shikongo with a mix of straight sixes and clinical slicing through the off-side. Dube contributed by skillfully guiding a yorker past third man, while Pandya reached his half-century in just 27 balls by clearing the cow-corner boundary off Erasmus. Their partnership ensured India comfortably crossed the 200-run mark, setting the stage for a massive total.
However, the final moments of the innings were surprisingly chaotic for India. Pandya fell to a full toss after a spectacular juggling relay catch at deep square leg, and Dube was caught short of his crease by a sharp throw from Erasmus. The Namibian captain then bowled Axar Patel with a deceptive "super slow" delivery, while Rinku Singh and Arshdeep Singh were dismissed in the final over by JJ Smit.