India, the hosts and defending champions, claimed a big win against Namibia in the Group A fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday night (February 12).
After Namibia sent India to bat first, India scored 209/9 in 20 overs. Opener Ishan Kishan and the middle-order batter Hardik Pandya scored half-centuries in that innings. While Ishan scored 61 off 24 balls (six fours and five sixes), Hardik scored 52 off 28 balls (four fours and four sixes).
In reply, despite getting a good start, scoring 57/1 at the end of the powerplay, Namibia were bowled out for only 116 runs in 18.2 overs, as India won by 93 runs. Only both the openers Louren Steenkamp (29) and Jan Frylinck (22) managed the 20-run mark.
While all six Indian bowlers managed to pick up at least one wicket, spinner Varun Chakravarthy had the bowling figures of 2-0-7-3. Also, Hardik Pandya (2/21) and Axar Patel (2/20) got two wickets each.
Ishan Kishan slammed 20-ball 50
Indian opener Ishan Kishan slammed a 20-ball 50.
It was the joint fourth fastest half-century by an Indian in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history.
India scored 209/9
India scored 209/9 in 20 overs.
India recorded their third-highest total in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The top two records are 218/4 (vs England at Durban in 2007) and 210/2 (vs Afghanistan at Abu Dhabi in 2021).
It was the third-highest total for the hosts in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The top two records are 225/5 by Sri Lanka (vs Oman at Pallekele in 2026) and 218/5 by West Indies (vs Afghanistan in Gros Islet in 2024).
Hardik Pandya scored 50+ runs and took 2 wickets
Apart from scoring 52 runs, Hardik Pandya also picked up two wickets.
Hardik Pandya became the first Indian to score at least 50 runs and also pick up at least two wickets in the same match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
India's largest T20 World Cup win
India won by 93 runs.
It is the largest victory margin for India (by runs) in their history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Their previous record was a 90-run win against England at Colombo (RPS) in 2012.
