New Delhi, February 12 Sanju Samson disappointed again, Ishan Kishan shone, and his mentor Hardik Pandya entertained, but India's 93-run victory over Namibia here on Thursday wasn't quite the box office hit expected ahead of a tense T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan.
The victory felt more like a prelude to the cricketing storm than a decisive win, with Pakistan looming.
The margin of victory, India's largest in a T20 World Cup, doesn't tell the whole story, as the relatively unknown Namibian captain, Gerhard Erasmus, emerged as a surprise package, taking 4 for 20 in India's total of 209 for 9, despite Kishan's impressive 61 off 24 balls and Pandya's 52 off 28 balls.
In reply, the Namibian batting unit struggled against the kind of attack they rarely face, as the innings ended on 116 in 18.2 overs.
Varun Chakravarthy (3/7 in 2 overs) and Pandya (2/21 in 4 overs) shared the bulk of the spoils, and India now only needs one more win in their next two games to qualify for the Super Eights.
The reason why India's batting performance, despite a score of over 200, might be considered below par is due to Erasmus.
Erasmus' unusual side-arm action caused considerable discomfort for Indian batters, including Kishan, Pandya, and Tilak Varma, as he also bowled from behind the crease at times.
The 24 deliveries bowled by Erasmus certainly gave the Indian batters a glimpse of what they can expect from Pakistani star Usman Tariq, who would pose even more challenging questions on a turning Premadasa track in Colombo.
When Namibia batted, they used the long handle effectively, but one always knew that Chakravarthy and Axar Patel (2/20) would eventually dismantle them.
Earlier, Samson's three-sixes innings was akin to a short-lived Instagram reel, while Kishan's batting was a gripping web series, full of drama, action, and anticipation.
Kishan smashed five sixes and six boundaries for a 20-ball-50, setting the stage for a marauding Hardik Pandya (52 off 28 balls) to take the team to a total that seemed beyond the reach of this Namibian batting lineup.
However, Erasmus played a fantastic innings and would certainly keep Pakistan's lethal weapon Tariq interested come Sunday.
Erasmus bowled side-arm deliveries in between his regular round-arm delivery. As a variation, he also bowled from behind the crease to shorten the length, as Tilak Varma (25) couldn't reach the pitch of the delivery.
It was a flat Kotla pitch, but Sanju Samson (22 off 8 balls) and skipper Suryakumar Yadav, with a run-a-ball 12, missed out on scoring big, as the Namibian side made a comeback with the ball in the middle overs.
Surya certainly got the best delivery of the innings from left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz, who got one to dip and turn, as the skipper went for the shot, missed, and was duly stumped.
It was a golden opportunity for Samson to capitalize. The three sixes – one down the ground and the other two a product of his sinewy wrists – sent the capacity crowd into raptures. But another well-timed flick didn't have the wings to clear the fielder at the cow corner.
Samson's knock was full of intent but fell short in terms of effectiveness.
The key difference between Kishan and Samson over the past month has been consistency and the ability to make the most of a second chance.
The Namibian pacers were no match for him, and when he erred in length, Ishan's willow came down with tremendous speed, sending the sixes soaring into the stands.
During the final 10 overs, India's MVP Pandya took charge, as his four sixes and four boundaries kept the momentum going, with Shivam Dube (23 off 16 balls) providing excellent support in an 81-run stand off just 6.3 overs.
