New Delhi erupted in cheers as India delivered a commanding 93-run victory over Namibia in the T20 World Cup 2026 qualifier at Arun Jaitley Stadium. For Namibia, it marked a second consecutive defeat, leaving captain Gerhard Erasmus reflective on what went wrong.
Erasmus pinpointed the middle overs, specifically from the 6th to 10th, as the phase where the match slipped away. ‘The pitch didn’t change much,’ he noted. ‘It was India’s bowlers’ quality that shone through, especially in those crucial middle overs.’
India’s spin attack, led by a devastating spell from Varun Chakaravarthy, dismantled Namibia’s chase. Erasmus admitted the field seemed smaller than expected, and dew in the second innings complicated matters for spinners. ‘We thought we were in it after 16 overs,’ he said, ‘but Varun’s spell broke our momentum completely.’
Despite the bowlers leaking runs earlier, Namibia’s JJ Smuts stepped up in the death overs, conceding just 3 runs in the final over while snaring two wickets. Erasmus praised his all-rounder’s resilience: ‘His death-over expertise is exactly what we need. The challenge for us has always been matching big teams at the start and finish of innings.’
Looking ahead, Erasmus remained optimistic. Chennai’s conditions might suit them better, and he stressed untapped potential in the batting lineup. ‘We’re not at 100% yet, but there’s plenty left in this tour. We need to build stronger foundations to showcase our talent.’
India’s dominance underscored their depth, setting a high bar for underdogs like Namibia in the global spotlight.