India ended their run at the T20 World Cup 2021 on Monday, winning over Namibia in Dubai by 9 wickets. A failure to make the semi-finals and not winning the coveted crown meant it was a bittersweet ending for Virat Kohli and company.
The win also brought curtains to the mighty successful era of the Kohli-Shastri duo as skipper and head coach. While Virat is relinquishing his post as a T20I captain, Ravi is not going to continue as the team’s head coach.
A successor for Kohli is not yet confirmed, although hints are that it will be his deputy Rohit Sharma stepping up. For Shastri, the BCCI has already confirmed batting legend Rahul Dravid as his replacement for the next two years.
On the day, Kohli won the toss and opted to bowl first, while retaining most of his first-choice team with only one change. Varun Chakravarthy was left out with a niggle, and Rahul Chahar replaced him.
India restricted Namibia to just 132/8 in their 20 overs, thanks to excellent spells from spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin (3/20) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/16), as well as lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah (2/19). The trio shared eight wickets between them and never let the Namibian innings get going from their end.
That respite which they desperately required came Namibia’s way through inconsistent spells from Mohammad Shami (0/39) and young Chahar, who looked a touch nervous throughout his vigil for 0/30.
For Namibia, twenties from Stephan Baard (21) and David Wiese (26) was the best they could offer against two rampaging, high-quality spinners and a world-class quick. Namibia hardly play such kind of bowling and it was telling.
In the second half, Jan Frylinck (1/19) was the only bowler for them to enter the wickets column as Indian openers Sharma (56) and KL Rahul (54*) continued from where they left the match against Scotland and dominated their way in a first-wicket stand of 86 runs.
Rohit fell just after crossing his quickfire half-century. Then in a heartwarming gesture, despite it being his last game as T20I skipper, Kohli sent in Suryakumar Yadav to bat No.3 in place of him. Virat later explained the idea was to give Suryakumar the opportunity to bat in the tournament, as he hadn’t really had a proper innings since the game against Pakistan.
The right-hander looked in his usually freeflowing avatar and made 25* off 19 balls to take his team to the finish line along with Rahul, who was once again in his element at the crease for an unbeaten fifty.
Brief scores
Namibia 132/8 in 20 overs (Wiese 26, Baard 21; Jadeja 3/16, Ashwin 3/20) lost to India 136/1 in 15.2 overs (Sharma 56, KL Rahul 54*; Frylinck 1/19) by 9 wickets
