T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, R Ashwin help India end on winning note

India`s Rohit Sharma (L) celebrates with teammate India`s KL Rahul after scoring a half century (50 runs) during the ICC men’s Twenty20 World Cup cricket match between India and Namibia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. Pic/AFP

Even in an inconsequential T20 World Cup game against Namibia, India chose to play it safe by choosing to chase a target rather than set one on Monday.

However, despite the match holding no significance for India, they were focused enough and showed intent to not let things drift aimlessly as they restricted Namibia to 132-8 in 20 overs before racing to a nine-wicket win. Half-centuries by KL Rahul (54 not out) and Rohit Sharma (56) ensured an easy win for India with 28 balls to spare. Suryakumar Yadav stayed unbeaten on 25.

Earlier in the day, after the initial breakthrough provided by Jasprit Bumrah, it was the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who hogged the limelight with a superb spell of bowling. Both picked up three wickets apiece as they harried the Namibian batsmen with nagging accuracy and subtle variations. Barring David Wiese, none of the other batters could play them with confidence.

Ashwin and Jadeja are seasoned campaigners and made the most of the inexperience of the Namibian batsmen. But one would have liked leg-spinner Rahul Chahar to pick up wickets. He was impressive, but failed to get among the wickets.

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