India's captain Virat Kohli hugs Namibia's David Wiese as he leads team members out into the field after winning the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between India and Namibia in Dubai, UAE, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)T20 World Cup, India vs Namibia Highlights: India signed off their disappointing T20 World Cup campaign with a nine-wicket win over Namibia here on Monday. India reached the target of 133 in 15.2 overs with Rohit Sharma (56) and KL Rahul (54 not out) stitching 86 runs for the opening stand to set up the win in their final Super 12 match. Suryakumar Yadav also remained not out on 25. For Namibia, Jan Frylinck took one wicket.
Earlier, India restricted Namibia to 132 for 8. Invited to bat, Namibia struggled to get going and they suffered a batting collapse after an opening stand of 33 between Stephan Baard (21) and Michael van Lingen (14). David Wiese top-scored for Namibia with a 25-ball 26. For India, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets apiece while Jasprit Bumrah got two. This match is the last for Virat Kohli as India captain in T20 Internationals while Ravi Shashtri is donning the head coach’s hat for the last time.
Brief Scores:
Namibia: 132 for 8 in 20 overs (David Wiese 26; Ravindra Jadeja 3/16, Ravichandran Ashwin 3/20).
India: 136 for 1 in 15.2 overs (Rohit Sharma 56; KL Rahul 54 not out; Jan Frylinck 1/19).
India
136/1 (15.2)Namibia
132/8 (20.0)India beat Namibia by 9 wickets
test
test
test
test
I don't read too much into Virat's form. I don't care who the player is. If you put even Don Bradman in the bubble, his average will come down. Eventually, the bubble will burst: Shastri
Ravi Shastri dropped a hint that his future might lie in TV commentary again, where he made his name before coming to coaching. “We won back-to-back (Test) series in Australia. We took the lead in England and it could be the longest lead in history (with the final Test has been deferred to next year). I might be commentating on that Test,” Shastri said at the post-match press conference.
'Relief firstly (on leaving T20I captaincy). It's been a honor but things need to be kept at the right perspective. I felt this was the right time to manage my workload. It's been six or seven years of heavy workload and there is a lot of pressure. The guys have been fantastic, I know we haven't got the results here but we have played some really good cricket. The guys have really made my work easier. The way we played the last three games, it's a game of margins - T20 cricket these days. Two overs of attacking cricket at the top is what we were missing in the first two games. As I said, we weren't brave enough in those games and in the group we were in, it was tough. A big thank you to all those guys (Ravi Shastri and his support staff). They have done a great job over the years, creating such a wonderful environment for the players. People loved to get back to the atmosphere. They have done a really great job. That (his aggression) is never going to change. The day it does, I'll stop playing cricket. Even before I became captain, I have always loved to contribute in some way or the other. Surya didn't get much gametime in this World Cup, so I thought it will be a nice memory to take back. That was the idea (behind not batting himself).'
"As a bowler I enjoyed the game, the ball was dry and that is always good for a spinner. Some turned and some didn't so the batsman had to keep guessing. I've been playing with Ashwin for 10 years, he's played well in the IPL with the white ball, and he's brought that here. Virat has been a wonderful captain, and I've played with him for 10-12 years. He looks positive and aggressive and that's what you want. Bharat Arun, Mr. Sridhar, and Shastri bhai were really good to support us, and whoever comes next, we'll look to continue the momentum."
And this is the over which is likely to be the last India play in this World Cup campaign. At least they end on a high. And a leg bye to start. Scores are tied. And Rahul ends it in style with a four. It's all over. IND win by 9 wickets. Virat Kohli does not get to bat in his last match as India's T20 captain but India were clinical. Ravi Shastri's contract also ended with this match and now India will head into a new era under Rahul Dravid.
And another boundary for India. Tossed up outside off, and he's opened the face to drive it through point. Great timing on it again by SKY. And 130 comes up for India as well as Rahul's 50. IND 131/1 after 15 overs.
And Rahul has hit one straight down the ground. They are in a hurry to finish this one. Lovely straight drive, lofted over the bowler's head, and into the straight boundary. And the fifth ball has also been hit for a 4. Fast and furious from India. 11 off the over. IND 122/1 after 14 overs.
Another lovely shot by SKY. Brings out another one of his favourites, the little dink to paddle-scoop it fine. Moved across early, fullish ball outside off and he picked it expertly to the fine leg boundary. 6 off the over. IND 111/1 after 13 overs.
12th over now. van Lingen to bowl. And with that 2 runs, 100 comes up for India. And another four from Rahul. What a shot. Overpitched on leg stump and he flicks it with a twirl of the wrists, one bounce into the square leg boundary. 9 off this one. IND 105/1 after 12 overs.
11th over begins and Virat Kohli has not come out to bat . Suryakumar Yadav has been sent. And SKY joins the party with a beautiful inside out shot for a 4. 9 off the over. IND 96/1 after 11 overs.
10th over. And it's the same script. Good length and angled into leg stump from around the wicket, stands still and only the arms move as Rahul scoops this over short fine for a massive 6. And a wicket!!! Against the run of play. Rohit walks. Frylinck takes a wicket. IND 86/1 after 9.5 overs as we go for drinks.
JN Loftie-Eaton to bowl te 9th over. Was a good first 3 balls but the 4th ball is hit straight down the ground for a 4. Rohit Sharma is not holding back at all. Just 7 off it ultimately. India on their merry way. IND 77/0 after 9 overs.
The 8th over starts. The last over bowled by Frylink went for 9 runs with a boundary off the last ball. And Smit has been dealt the same treatment. Rohit stands his ground and uses the angle to nudge that past short fine for a 4. And a half century for Rohit. IND 70/0 after 8 overs.
Smit in to bowl the last over of the powerplay. And Rahul has hit one now. Beautiful stroke. 50 up for India. 10 off the over ultimately. IND 54/0 after 6 overs.
The penultimate over of the powerplay. Spinner comes in. Scholtz comes on and reviews an lbw decision first up. It's a length ball at off stump, Rohit gets down for the sweep, trying to go behind square. He's caught that on the right bicep, in front of off stump or perhaps just outside it. Impact outside confirms tracker. So it's a not out. And Sharma has hit another boundary. And the fourth ball is hit for a 6. Where was this batter in the first two matches? 11 off the over. IND 44/0 after 5 overs
Wiese starts the 4th over. And now Rahul joins the party for a massive 6. Quick hands from KL. 7 off the over ultimately. IND 33/0 after 7 overs
And the first ball of the 3rd over is sent straight for a four. It has been smashed through the line. Again, cought have been caught again but just short. Rohit has all the luck tonight. Comes back for twos in the fourth and the fifth ball. And a single to end and Sharma keeps strike. IND 26/0 after 3 overs.
Second over starts. And Rohit backs away and gets it over mid-off. Banged in short of a length and at middle stump. Makes room and carves from under this. It's off the high part of the bat but there's enough to find the boundary. The 5th ball is sent for a massive 6. He makes it look so easy, does Rohit Sharma. 11 off the over. IND 17/0 after 2 overs.
Rahul and Rohit are at the crease. Rahul is on strike. Trumpelmann will open the attack. Oh there was a fielder there. Rohit could have been caught but the ball has reached the boundary. 6 to end the first over. IND 6/0 after 1 over.
Any match involving Team India is never low-key, but the game against Namibia came as close as any. With nothing other than pride and statistics riding on the fixture, it had an end-of-semester feel about it. The side looked flat in the field with very little chatter. Maybe, after being ousted from the tournament, the superstars of world cricket had trouble lifting themselves for a game against proverbial minnows. It was mirrored in the large number of empty seats at the Dubai International Stadium, a rare phenomenon for the Indian team. Not that it made much difference in the actual match. Namibia have shown shades of potential during the tournament, but after a promising start – a six over wide long-on by Stephan Baard off Mohammed Shami was a stroke to savour – they started losing wickets. When this scenario plays out, the underdog team generally tries to make full use of the overs rather than going for a high-risk approach. The fancied side is the one which has to force the issue, but given the situation India had very little incentive to go for the jugular.
After Bumrah removes Wiese (26) off a catch by Rohit near extra cover, Shami comes in for the last over. Trumpelmann (13*) takes on the pacer and hits a meaty six over long-on. He follows it up with a four and ends Namibia's innings on a positive note. Frylinck remains unbeaten at the other end on 15*. India to chase 133 now. NAM: 132/8 (20 overs)
Wiese (25*) and Frylinck (12*) get some bonus runs for Namibia, courtesy of an overthrow. NAM: 114/7 (18 overs)
Just when Smit (9) was picking up his pace, Jadeja sends him back to the pavilion off a catch by Rohit. His third wicket of the innings! Ashwin picks up his third later on, by cleaning up Green on a golden duck. NAM: 95/7 (16 overs)
In his last game as India’s T20 captain, Virat Kohli anointed Rohit Sharma as his successor. “Obviously Rohit is here and he is overlooking things for a while now,” Kohli said at the toss before India’s final game in this World Cup, against Namibia.
This came on the day when the national selection committee was scheduled to pick India’s T20I and Test squads for the upcoming home series against New Zealand – the announcement could be deferred by a day. India will host the Kiwis for three T20Is and two Tests from November 17.
Kohli called leading the country an honour. “It’s been an honour for me. I was given the opportunity and I tried to do my best. But it’s also time to create some space and move forward. I have been immensely proud of how the team has played. Now I think it's time for the next lot to take this team forward,” he said.
Meanwhile, India took the knee again and the players wore black armbands in memory of Dronacharya awardee cricket coach Tarak Sinha, who passed away on Saturday.
After conceding five wides, Ashwin makes amends. Erasmus (12) falls as he guides a ball straight into the hands of Pant after a soft outside-edge. On comes Smit and he takes two singles to settle himself in. NAM: 77/5 (13 overs)
Erasmus (12*) and Wiese (9*) attempt to forge a stand to rebuild their team's innings. Both the batters hit Chahar for a boundary each, getting 11 runs in his third over. But Jadeja returns and slows them down. NAM: 67/4 (12 overs)
India on a roll now! Loftie-Eaton (5) gets an edge on Ashwin's ball and Rohit takes the catch. NAM: 47/4 (9.1 overs)
He does it again! Jadeja sends Baard (21) back to the hut after trapping him between the wickets. The spinner fires it flat at the leg-stump, Baard tries to sweep and gets struck on the pads. Namibia lose the review. NAM: 39/3 (7.4 overs)
Jadeja delivers the goods again! The spinner, on the back of an excellent performance against Scotland, scalps his first wicket of the evening on his third ball. Williams (0) charges down and gets stumped by Pant. NAM: 34/2 (6 overs)
There's the breakthrough! Bumrah bowls a 136kph delivery and van Lingen tries to flat-bat it over mid-off, but ends up mistiming it straight to Shami at mid-off. The batter departs on 14. India draw first blood! NAM: 33/1 (4.4 overs)
Baard (11*) follows suit and takes on Shami, hitting a brilliant maximum over deep mid-wicket. NAM: 25/0 (3 overs)
After Shami restricted the openers to just singles in the opening over, Bumrah comes into the attack. Van Lingen (10*) provides a good start to Namibia by hitting a boundary to long off and then another with a pull. NAM: 15/0 (2 overs)
Stephan Baard and Michael van Lingen open the innings for Namibia as Mohammed Shami starts the proceedings with the ball. Meanwhile, India players are wearing black armbands today in Dubai to pay their tributes to Dronacharya Awardee and widely respected coach Tarak Sinha, who sadly passed away from prolonged illness on Saturday.
India (Playing XI): KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rahul Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Namibia (Playing XI): Stephan Baard, Michael van Lingen, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus(c), Zane Green(w), David Wiese, Jan Frylinck, JJ Smit, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz
India have won the toss and have opted to field first. "The tosses have been a big factor, and when I've won a couple we'll do what we wanted to do from Day 1. It's been an honour to captain India and I've done my best. The shortest format has to give way for the longest format. I've been grateful for the opportunity. It's time for the next lot to take the team forward. Rohit has been looking on anyway, and Indian cricket is in good hands," said Virat Kohli.
KL Rahul: As India look to the future, the stylish opener will have a big role to play. He's coming off two excellent innings against Afghanistan and Scotland, including an 18-ball fifty.
Ruben Trumpelmann: The left-arm pacer has been a star for Namibia this tournament. His left-arm angle could ask some questions of the Indian batting, who have struggled against that kind of bowling early in the tournament. The match might also be a chance for him to audition for franchise cricket.
"This is one of the great teams in the history of the game, no doubt in my mind. Unfortunately, we are out of this tournament, but that takes nothing away from a great side. You're not switched on as you should be. This is not an excuse. Because in trying to win, you will lose a game. Here we didn't try to win, because the x-factor -- the players were mentally and physically drained -- wasn't there. With his stature, with his experience, Rahul [Dravid] can only raise the bar."
India (Probable Playing XI): KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rahul Chahar
Namibia (Probable Playing XI): Stephan Baard, Michael van Lingen, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus (c), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Zane Green (wk), Karl Birkenstock/Jan Frylinck, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz
Hello and welcome to the live commentary of the Super 12 Group 2 match between India and Namibia. Already out of contention for the semi-finals, the Men in Blue will be playing their final match of the tournament. Stay tuned for more!