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NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson flattered to deceive once again, Ishan Kishan lit up the night and his mentor Hardik Pandya provided late entertainment, but India’s 93-run win over Namibia here on Thursday was hardly the box-office confidence-booster expected ahead of a high-voltage T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan.

The result felt less like reassurance and more like the calm before a cricketing storm, with Pakistan waiting around the corner.

The margin of victory, India’s biggest in T20 World Cup history, doesn’t tell the full story as relatively unknown Namibian skipper Gerhard Erasmus emerged as a surprise package, picking up 4 for 20 in India’s 209 for 9, despite Kishan’s blazing 61 off 24 balls and Pandya’s 52 off 28.

In reply, Namibia struggled against an attack of a quality they rarely face, folding for 116 in 18.2 overs.

Varun Chakravarthy (3/7 in 2 overs) and Pandya (2/21 in 4 overs) did most of the damage as India moved to the brink of qualification, needing just one more win from their remaining two games to reach the Super Eights.

Erasmus leaves lasting impression

India’s batting, despite crossing 200, could still be termed underwhelming — largely because of Erasmus.

The Namibian captain’s awkward side-arm action caused visible discomfort for Indian batters including Kishan, Pandya and Tilak Varma, with Erasmus also bowling from behind the crease on occasions.

The 24 balls he delivered served as a timely reminder of what India might face from Pakistan’s mystery man Usman Tariq, who could pose even tougher questions on a stickier Premadasa surface in Colombo.

When Namibia batted, they swung freely early but it was always only a matter of time before Chakravarthy and Axar Patel (2/20) joined forces to dismantle the chase.

Kishan shines, Samson fades again

Earlier, Samson’s three-sixes cameo resembled a fleeting Instagram reel, while Kishan’s innings played out like a gripping web series, packed with pace and punch.

Kishan smashed five sixes and six fours en route to a rapid 50 off 20 balls, laying the platform for Pandya to take India to a total that looked well beyond Namibia’s reach.

Yet Erasmus continued to impress and may have given Pakistan’s Usman Tariq plenty to think about ahead of Sunday.

Mixing side-arm deliveries with his round-arm stock ball, Erasmus also shortened his length by bowling from behind the crease, a ploy that even a set Tilak Varma (25) struggled to counter.

Middle-overs wobble

On a flat Kotla surface, Samson (22 off 8 balls) and skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who made a scratchy 12, failed to capitalise as Namibia clawed back some control during the middle overs.

Suryakumar fell to the delivery of the innings from left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz, beaten by dip and turn as he charged down the track and was neatly stumped.

It was a golden chance for Samson to stamp his authority. His three sixes — one straight and two whipped with supple wrists — thrilled the crowd, but a mistimed flick soon ended the stay.

The intent was there, but the impact once again wasn’t.

The contrast between Kishan and Samson over the past month has been one of consistency and making the most of second chances.

Namibia’s pacers had little margin for error against Kishan, whose bat came down like a sledgehammer whenever they missed their lengths, sending the ball soaring with brutal bat speed.

In the final phase, India’s MVP Pandya took over, smashing four sixes and four fours, with Shivam Dube (23 off 16 balls) providing solid support in a rapid 81-run stand off just 6.3 overs.

(With PTI Inputs)