T20 World Cup: Chakravarthy, Pandya take India to easy win over Namibia

New Delhi: The Indian cricket team defeated Namibia by 93 runs in their second T20 World Cup match at the Ferozeshah Kotla grounds here, delivering a commanding all-round performance to continue their strong run in the tournament.

After being put in to bat, the co-hosts posted an imposing 209/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus had won the toss and opted to bowl in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash.

India made an explosive start. Sanju Samson chipped in with a quickfire 22 before Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma took control. The pair stitched together a blistering 79-run partnership off just 31 balls to provide the perfect launch pad. Kishan, in scintillating form since his return to the side earlier this year, hammered 61 off just 24 deliveries, striking six fours and five sixes. Varma contributed a brisk 25 as India raced to 120/2 at the halfway stage.

Hardik Pandya ensured the momentum did not dip, smashing 52 off 28 balls. Alongside Shivam Dube (23), he added 81 runs for the fifth wicket to push India comfortably past the 200-run mark.

Namibia, however, clawed back in the closing stages. From 205/5, India slipped to 209/9, losing five wickets in the final overs. Captain Erasmus led from the front with an impressive 4/20 in four overs, accounting for Kishan, Varma, Pandya and Axar Patel, and playing a role in Dube’s run out.

Chasing 210, Namibia began with positive intent. Openers Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck set an early scoring rate of 10 runs per over, taking the attack to the Indian bowlers. Arshdeep Singh provided the breakthrough, dismissing Frylinck for 22 off 15 balls. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton joined Steenkamp as Namibia closed the first Powerplay strongly at 57/1 — their highest Powerplay score in T20 World Cup history.

The momentum shifted dramatically when ICC Men’s No.1 T20I bowler Varun Chakaravarthy was introduced. He struck with his very first delivery, rattling Steenkamp’s stumps. Erasmus attempted to counterattack, launching two towering sixes off Axar Patel’s first over.

Chakaravarthy continued to weave his magic, removing Loftie-Eaton (13 off 13) and JJ Smit (0) within the space of three balls to dent Namibia’s chase. Axar redeemed a costly over by joining the spin assault, claiming Erasmus’ crucial wicket and delivering a wicket-maiden to further derail the innings.

Axar soon struck again after Jasprit Bumrah produced a sharp diving catch to dismiss Malan Kruger, who had just muscled a boundary over mid-on. The lower order struggled to withstand India’s disciplined attack, with Bumrah unleashing a trademark yorker to send Ruben Trumplemann back for 6.

Namibia were eventually bowled out well short of the target, handing India a comprehensive 93-run victory and reinforcing their status as strong contenders in the tournament.

India had earlier beaten USA in their first match. 

(Inputs from ICC)

Tags : Varun Chakravarthy, T20 World Cup, ICC, Hardik Pandya, Indian cricket team