T20 World Cup 2021: Match 42, India vs Namibia – Who Said What

India thrashed the Namibia side by 9 wickets in the final Super 12 Group stage match of the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup. Batting first, the Namibia side produced a decent performance with the willow. Even though Namibia lost wickets at regular intervals, the likes of David Wiese and Stephen Baard ensured that their side posted a total of 132/8 on the board.

While Wiese scored 26, Baard scored 21 at a strike rate of exactly 100. Ravindra Jadeja was superb with the ball and scalped 3 wickets for the Virat Kohli-led side. Apart from Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin also chipped in with 3 wickets as well.

India blaze past the target with ease

Rohit Sharma was in the mood for annihilation and massacre. The right-handed opening batsman top-scored for the Indian side with a superb 56 off 37 deliveries as India made light work of the target.

Apart from Sharma, KL Rahul too, scored a classic 36-ball 54 as well, as India blazed past the finish line. The Scotland bowlers were decimated as the Indian willow wielders smashed the ball to every part of the ground with ease. In spite of their dominating victory, the Indian side is out of the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Winning skipper Virat Kohli said:

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).

Losing skipper Gerhard Erasmus said:

We haven’t quite able to really soak in (the experience) due to the quick turnaround between games. Only once we get back home, we’ll be able to realise that we played awesome levels of cricket and were to compete against some strong teams. Quite a few highlight performances individually to take home as positives, and also as a team. Good positives and hopefully we can work to get better. Hopefully we have inspired a few people with our performances to take up the sport.

Player of the Match Ravindra Jadeja said:

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 is always positive and aggressive and that’s what you want as a player. Bharat Arun, Mr. Sridhar, and Shastri bhai were really good to support us, and whoever comes next, we’ll look to continue the momentum.