Xtra Time Web Desk: India rounded off the Super 12s stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 with a resounding nine-wicket victory over Namibia in Group 2. The Men in Blue finished on a high as half centuries from Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul helped them chase 133 with ease.
Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin set the foundation, taking three wickets apiece to help prevent Namibia, for whom David Wiese again top scored with 26, from setting an imposing total on what was a good wicket.
India were left to rue what could have been in the UAE after recording their third win, as two defeats in their opening two games against semi-finalists Pakistan and New Zealand ultimately cost them a place in the last four.
After being put into bat Namibia scored 132/8. David Wiese top scored with 26 runs along with Stephan Baard who made 21. Indian spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja (3/16) and Ravichandran Ashwin (3/20) were the most successful bowlers.
Chasing 133 runs to win, Indian opener got a life at the start as he was dropped by Van Lingen at short fine leg.
Sharma had another life when a one-handed hack off Wiese somehow fell safely before he swatted the next ball for six behind square on the legside to get India going.
Another boundary off Trumpelmann’s second over brought up 3,000 T20I runs for Sharma but he again had a close shave when a mis-timed pull fell just short of the fielder.
Sharma and KL Rahul had India cruising as they raced to 54 without loss by the end of the powerplay.
And the former brought up an action-packed 50 off 31 balls, his second of the tournament, as India showed no sign of taking their foot off the gas.
Namibia got a breakthrough with Frylinck dismissing Sharma for 56 as wicket-keeper Green held onto the catch to end the opening partnership of 86 one ball before the halfway point.
Suryakumar Yadav, promoted at No 3 showed his ability to score all around the ground in an entertaining unbeaten 25 from 19 balls.
Rahul brought up his third 50 of the tournament from 35 balls before hitting a boundary to end his side’s campaign in style with 28 balls to spare.
Scores:
Namibia 132/8 in 20 overs (David Wiese 26, Stephan Baard 21; Ravindra Jadeja 3/16, Ravichandran Ashwin 3/20)
India 136/1 in 15.2 overs (Rohit Sharma 56, KL Rahul 54 not out; Jan Frylinck 1/19)