India has begun its journey in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a strong performance, winning their second consecutive match against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday, February 12. Ishan Kishan was the standout player, scoring a half-century that set the tone for India right from the start.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed admiration for Kishan’s performance and the solid beginning he gave the team. Gambhir emphasized that this level of aggression and mindset is what he aims for his players to embody.
“Great job today on the win. We were very sharp. The start from Kishan and Sanju [Samson] was excellent. We discussed being aggressive and brave, and that’s precisely how we want to play,” Gambhir said while addressing the team in a video shared on BCCI.tv.
Kishan’s performance made him India’s Impact Player, as his powerful innings kept Namibia under pressure until he scored 61 off 28 balls. Team physiotherapist Kamlesh Jain noted that Kishan’s hard work and two-year wait to rejoin the team are now paying off.
“Today’s Impact Player showcases belief, hard work, and mental strength. He maintained the belief that he would make an impact when he returned after two years away from the team. By excelling in domestic Cricket and staying mentally strong, he capitalized on his opportunity, scoring 61 off 24,” Jain stated.
