And ladies and gentlemen, we are now looking at the last match of the Super 12 stage. This match will be played for entertainment as any return of any kind, especially for India, was snatched away by New Zealand last night, who destroyed the small hope of semis’ appearance that the billion Indian fans had from the fixture between Kiwis and Afghans. Although India is officially out of the race for the semi-finals, they will surely put on a show against equally competitive Namibia.
India
For India, every aspect has come back to form, but unfortunately too late. Lokesh Rahul and Rohit Sharma, the two aces, have displayed masterclasses for two consecutive matches. In addition, Ravindra Jadeja bowled tight overs in the last game against Scotland and returned with the career-best figures of 3/15 in the T20Is.
Mohammad Shami, criticized for his bowling against Pakistan, was unplayable in the last match against Scotland. In that game, he grabbed three wickets at an economy of 5 and took his total tally of 6 wickets in this tournament. On the other hand, the yorker machine, Jasprit Bumrah, has continued what he does best (5 wickets at an economy of 5.18).
One more positive for the team (again, a very late development), Rishabh Pant has shown that he can bat anywhere, whenever the group requires. In three innings in this World Cup, he has scored 78 runs, at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 125.8. Indians will also cherish Hardik Pandya’s return to form for the upcoming series against Kiwis.
Also, this is the last time Virat Kohli will be leading the Men in Blue in T20Is. No cricket pundit can fathom how this terrific team found themselves in such a spot in this tournament. From being labeled as the tournament favorites to now out of the semi-final race, luck has undoubtedly been one factor that was missing for them, whether be it the toss or change in the playing conditions. Everything went haywire for the team in the first two matches, and now they can only wait for the following year’s world cup.
Namibia
Who would have thought that this tiny nation would generate such a buzz this World Cup? This Gerhard Erasmus-led side has been the talk of the UAE towns right from the Round 1 games. Now in their last match of the tournament, and that too against the heavyweight Indians, they’ll look forward to proving that they are not the ones to be taken lightly.
For Namibia, David Wiese is the embodiment of bravery which this team has displayed throughout this tournament. The man has paved the way for them in this World Cup with both bat and ball. Scoring 201 runs at an average of 50.25, he has also picked up six wickets at an economy of 7.3.
Ruben Trumpelmann has also been the tournament’s find. He has bamboozled the opponents and will be looking forward to the same against Indians. He has picked six wickets in 7 matches in this tournament at an economy of 7.56.
Namibia might have only won one match in the Super 12 stage, but the intent their men have shown gives a hint that they’ll soon leave behind the minnow’s tag. With some quality performances in every match, both with bat and ball, they made sure to entertain in some form. Cricket fans will be keeping an eye on their journey for sure now, especially considering the next World Cup is just around the corner.
Probable Playing XI
India
Lokesh Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Namibia
Stephen Baard, Michael van Lingen, Craig Williams, Gerhard Merwe Erasmus (c), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Jan Nicol Lofie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann, Jan Frylinck, Bernard Scholtz