In a high-octane T20 World Cup 2026 encounter, India batted first after losing the toss and stormed to 209 for 9 against Namibia at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday. Ishan Kishan’s blistering 61 and Hardik Pandya’s power-packed 52 formed the backbone of India’s imposing total, setting Namibia a daunting 210-run target in pursuit of India’s second straight victory.
The innings kicked off briskly with Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan adding 25 runs in two overs. Kishan then dominated, smashing 79 runs in 31 balls with Tilak Varma, reaching his half-century in 20 balls en route to 61 off 24, studded with 5 maximums and 6 boundaries. His dismissal left India at a precarious juncture, but Tilak’s 25 off 21 kept the momentum alive alongside a brief cameo from skipper Suryakumar Yadav (12 off 13).
The game-changer arrived at 124 for 4 when Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube erupted for 81 runs off 39 balls. Pandya’s 52 off 28 – equal parts fours and sixes – hauled India past 200, though his exit triggered a collapse to 209 for 9. This performance signals India’s batting depth under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy.
Samson and Jasprit Bumrah rejoined the side, replacing rested Abhishek Sharma and Mohammed Siraj. India’s XI: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus led with Steenkamp, Frylinck, Loftie-Eaton, Smit, Green (wk), Trumpelmann, Kruger, Scholtz, Shikongo, and Mwingi. As Namibia straps in for the chase, India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah, loom large, promising a thrilling second innings under the capital’s floodlights.