Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s entertaining knock was cut short by a brilliant boundary catch in the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup clash against Namibia in Delhi on February 12. The 32-year-old was in an explosive mood, reaching his half-century off only 27 deliveries with a maximum off the first ball of the 19th over.
However, his attempt to pull off back-to-back sixes off a full toss from Gerhard Erasmusfell short when Namibia’s substitute fielder, Dylan Leicher, grabbed the catch, prevented himself from stepping over the boundary, and completed a spectacular catch.
The brilliant effort brought to an end a magnificent knock from Hardik on 52 off 28 deliveries with four boundaries and as many maximums.
Here is the video of Hardik Pandya’s vigil coming to an end, thanks to a sensational piece of fielding:
India lost their way once Hardik walked back, losing their next four wickets for only four runs. Fellow all-rounder Shivam Dube was run out a ball later, and the reliable Axar Patel was cleaned up three balls later, capping off a three-wicket 19th over for Namibia.
India lost Rinku Singh for a woeful six-ball one in the final over before Arshdeep Singh was run out on the final ball of the innings in a thrill-a-minute finish.
Team India post a massive total despite the late collapse after Hardik Pandya’s dismissal
Despite the unfathomable lower-order collapse, Team India finished with a solid total of 209/9 in 20 overs. It was thanks to an extraordinary 24-ball 61 from the rampaging Ishan Kishan, who smashed six boundaries and five maximums.
Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube added crucial 20s, along with Hardik Pandya’s half-century, propelling India past the 200-run mark. It was an impressive turnaround from the Men in Blue after their dismal batting display against the USA in their tournament opener.
In a shock to most, India were reduced to 77/6 in that contest before recovering through Suryakumar Yadav’s sensational 49-ball 84* to post 161 in 20 overs.
A win in the ongoing Namibia clash will be India’s tenth consecutive in T20 World Cups, a first in tournament history.
