T20 World Cup: India 205/5 After 18.2 Overs, Hardik Falls for 52
Namibia opt to field after winning toss against India; Samson, Bumrah return
Namibia won the toss and elected to field first against India, citing dew as a key factor on a flat batting surface. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team was prepared to bat first and expressed confidence in defending totals despite the expected dew later in the evening. He confirmed that Abhishek Sharma was still unwell and would miss a game or two, with Sanju Samson coming into the side as a like-for-like replacement. Jasprit Bumrah returned to the XI in place of Mohammed Siraj.
Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus said bowling first was the right decision given the pitch conditions and dew forecast. He described the surface as a good cricketing wicket and said the team would look to tighten their skill set and chase strongly in the second half. Namibia made two changes to their playing XI for the match.
India’s playing XI features Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah, while Namibia’s XI includes Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus, JJ Smit, Zane Green, Ruben Trumpelmann, Malan Kruger, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo and Max Heingo.
India powered to 205 for 5 in 18.2 overs after being put in to bat by Namibia, maintaining a strong scoring rate despite losing Hardik Pandya at a crucial stage. Hardik was dismissed for a well-made 52 off 28 balls, caught by substitute fielder Dylan Leicher off the bowling of Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus at 18.2 overs.
Shivam Dube remained at the crease on 23 from 16 deliveries, with Rinku Singh yet to open his account as India looked to finish strongly in the final overs. The last five overs yielded 69 runs for the loss of just one wicket, underlining India’s late acceleration.
Namibia’s best bowler has been Erasmus, who picked up three wickets for 19 runs in 3.2 overs, applying pressure through the middle and death overs. JJ Smit endured an expensive spell, conceding 47 runs from three overs. Namibia had earlier won the toss and opted to bowl first.
India slipped to 124 for 4 in 12 overs after losing another wicket in quick succession, with Tilak Varma dismissed for 25 off 21 balls. Tilak was caught by JJ Smit off the bowling of Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus at 11.5 overs, extending Namibia’s strong comeback in the middle overs.
Hardik Pandya remained at the crease on 2 from 5 balls, while Shivam Dube had just arrived without scoring. The latest wicket came soon after the dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav, as Namibia tightened their grip with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding.
Namibia’s bowlers have slowed India’s momentum significantly, conceding only 20 runs and picking up two wickets in the last five overs. Erasmus has been the standout, returning figures of two wickets for 13 runs from three overs, while Bernard Scholtz continued his economical spell with one wicket for seven runs from two overs. Namibia had earlier won the toss and opted to bowl first.
India lost a key wicket at 104 for 2 in 7.1 overs after Ishan Kishan’s explosive innings came to an end. Kishan was dismissed for 61 off 24 balls, caught by Ben Shikongo off the bowling of Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus. His innings featured six fours and five sixes and had put India firmly in control.
Tilak Varma was unbeaten on 20 from 11 balls, while Suryakumar Yadav walked in at the fall of the wicket. The Kishan–Tilak partnership had added 79 runs in just 30 balls, following Sanju Samson’s earlier dismissal for 22.
Despite the breakthrough, India continued at a rapid pace, scoring 78 runs in the last five overs. Namibia, who won the toss and chose to bowl first, finally managed to halt the run surge with Erasmus delivering an immediate impact ball.
India powered to 104 for 1 in seven overs after being sent in to bat by Namibia, with Ishan Kishan continuing his blistering assault on the bowlers. Kishan remained unbeaten on 61 from 23 balls, striking six fours and five sixes, while Tilak Varma supported him with a brisk 20 off 11 deliveries. The duo added 79 runs in just 30 balls for the second wicket.
Sanju Samson had earlier provided a rapid start with 22 off 8 balls before being caught by Louren Steenkamp off Ben Shikongo at 1.6 overs, leaving India at 25 for 1. Since then, Namibia have found no answers to Kishan’s clean hitting as India scored 79 runs in the last five overs without losing a wicket.
Namibia’s bowlers endured a tough spell, with JJ Smit conceding 38 runs from his two overs and Max Heingo going for 18 from his first. Namibia had won the toss and opted to bowl first.
India surged to 86 for 1 at the end of the powerplay after being asked to bat by Namibia, with Ishan Kishan blasting a rapid half-century. Kishan brought up his fifty off just 20 balls, smashing five fours and four sixes, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 13 from 8 deliveries as the pair stitched together a 61-run stand in only 24 balls.
Earlier, Sanju Samson set the tone with a fiery 22 off 8 balls before being caught by Louren Steenkamp off Ben Shikongo at 1.6 overs, leaving India at 25 for 1. Since then, Kishan took complete control, punishing Namibia’s attack during the final overs of the powerplay.
Namibia’s bowlers struggled to stem the flow of runs, conceding 78 in the last five overs alone. JJ Smit proved expensive, leaking 38 runs in his two overs, while Ruben Trumpelmann went for 23 from his spell. Namibia had won the toss and opted to bowl first.
India raced to 58 for 1 at the end of five overs after being put in to bat by Namibia, maintaining a strong scoring rate despite the early loss of Sanju Samson. Ishan Kishan was unbeaten on 22 from 14 balls, while Tilak Varma accelerated to 13 off 8 deliveries as the pair added 33 runs in 18 balls for the second wicket.
Samson had provided a flying start with 22 off 8 balls before being caught by Louren Steenkamp off Ben Shikongo at 1.6 overs, ending the opening stand at 25.
Namibia picked up one wicket but struggled to contain the run flow, conceding 58 runs in the first five overs. Shikongo claimed the breakthrough but went for 25 in two overs, while Ruben Trumpelmann gave away 23 from his two. Namibia had earlier won the toss and opted to bowl first.
India moved to 40 for 1 in 3.2 overs after being put in to bat by Namibia, with Ishan Kishan continuing the aggressive approach following the fall of Sanju Samson. Kishan was unbeaten on 15 from 9 balls, striking three fours, while Tilak Varma supported him with 2 runs from 3 deliveries.
Samson provided a rapid start before falling for 22 off 8 balls, caught by Louren Steenkamp off Ben Shikongo at 1.6 overs. The opening stand had produced 25 runs in quick time.
Namibia managed an early breakthrough but struggled to stem the run flow. Shikongo picked up the lone wicket but conceded 22 runs in his spell so far, while JJ Smit gave away 10 runs in his opening over. Namibia had won the toss and opted to bowl first, banking on chasing conditions later in the match.
India reached 35 for 1 in 2.5 overs after being asked to bat by Namibia, with Sanju Samson’s quickfire knock setting the early tempo before his dismissal. Samson smashed 22 off just 8 balls, including three sixes, before being caught by Louren Steenkamp off Ben Shikongo at 1.6 overs.
Ishan Kishan remained unbeaten on 11 from 7 balls, while Tilak Varma had just arrived at the crease with 1 run from 2 deliveries as India looked to rebuild after the early breakthrough. The first-wicket stand yielded 25 runs in 11 balls.
Namibia’s decision to bowl first was aimed at taking advantage of early conditions and expected dew later in the match. Ben Shikongo claimed the opening wicket but was expensive, conceding 17 runs in his opening over, while JJ Smit began with a tidy spell of 10 runs from five balls.
India made a flying start after being put in to bat by Namibia, racing to 25 without loss in just 1.5 overs. Sanju Samson led the charge with a blistering 22 off 7 balls, smashing three sixes and a four, while Ishan Kishan played a supporting role with 2 runs from 4 deliveries.
The opening partnership added 25 runs in 11 balls as Namibia’s bowlers struggled to contain the aggressive intent. Ben Shikongo conceded 17 runs in his first five deliveries, while Ruben Trumpelmann went for eight runs in his opening over. Namibia had earlier won the toss and chose to bowl, banking on dew and chasing conditions.