T20 World Cup 2026: India vs Namibia, Match 18 – Who Said What?

India continued their dominant run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding 93-run victory over Namibia in their Group A clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on February 12. After winning the toss, Namibia elected to bowl, but India’s batters put on a spectacular show.

Opener Ishan Kishan starred with a blistering 61 off 24 balls, continuing his dream run with the bat. Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, provided excellent finish with 52 off 28 to help India post a massive 209/9 in 20 overs. Shivam Dube, and Sanju Samson, too, played handy cameos, as the host’s explosive batting put Namibia under enormous pressure from the outset.

In reply, Namibia started well in the powerplay before Varun Chakravarthy led the charge with a crucial three-wicket spell in the middle-overs, while Pandya displayed his all-round class with two scalps, restricting the visitors to mere 116 in 18.2 overs.

India’s comprehensive win not only strengthened their position in Group A but also highlighted their firepower with both bat and ball. The Men in Blue’s explosive batting performance was even more special as it came in the absence of their explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who was not fit to play the match.

Who Said What?

Hardik Pandya, Player of the match

“Yeah, definitely, just enjoying the sport. Had a good couple of months to prepare and, you know, get the rhythm and, you know, get the body right. Thus far everything is going well. (on his batting) Yes, I’ve always taken pride in my batting as an all-rounder. So whenever I get an opportunity, I make sure that both the skills are managed rightly.” 

“Yes, I think that’s the strength of this team. We have a lot of options. We have fast bowling covered, we have spin covered. There are days when fast bowlers will come in the party when the wicket offers. And at the same point of time, spinners that have been in the middle have been fantastic. Varun, Axar, Kuldeep, whenever he’s got opportunity. I think they’ve been fantastic. At the same point of time, whenever the fast bowlers get opportunity, they’ve been fantastic.”

Gerhard Erasmus, Namibia (Losing captain)

“I don’t think we’re playing at 100% now. So we’d like to see that happen on this tour still. We’ve got a lot of firepower in our batting, but we’re not quite getting enough balls in the belt to set that foundation to show that firepower. No, I don’t think any change in the pitch. I think obviously there’s quality on the ball from the bowlers from India, and that’s shown in that middle period. That over 6 to 10 just broke the back.”

“We really felt after 26 overs of cricket that we’re in with a chance, and unfortunately that spell of Varun broke the back of our chase. Yeah, I think so. I think that depth spell as well from Smit coming back, you know, after the powerplay and leaked a bit, I think that’s, that’s the kind of specialization we want in our team.” 

Suryakumar Yadav, India (Winning captain)

“Pretty good game for everyone. I think it was not an easy wicket to bat on, but the way Ishan and Sanju started, it did look like it was an easy wicket. And then the partnership between Shivam and Hardik, the way they batted after losing two or three quick wickets, I think it was very commendable. I think the ball was stopping a little bit, but I don’t want to take any credit away from all the Namibian bowlers. They bowled really well.”

“Pretty happy with the way things have gone so far. Exactly what you’re looking for going ahead. Absolutely. I mean, every game is important. And yeah, we did start a little scratchy, but then I think we are on the road.”

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