Krishnamurthi's Blazing 68 Powers USA To 31-Run Victory Over Namibia In T20 World Cup

CHENNAI: United States of America edged past Namibia by a 31-run victory over Namibia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, in a Group A encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

The Americans posted an imposing 199/4 before restricting Namibia to 168/6 in a match that showcased the growing depth of cricketing talent in the United States.

Krishnamurthi Masterclass Anchors USA Innings

Sent into bat on a typically Chennai surface offering grip and turn, the USA innings was propelled by a breathtaking unbeaten knock of 68 from just 33 deliveries by Sanjay Krishnamurthi. The young batter displayed remarkable composure and explosive power, clearing the boundary ropes six times while collecting four boundaries in a strike rate of 206.06 that left the Namibian attack searching for answers.

The innings was built on a solid foundation provided by captain Monank Patel, who continued his rich vein of form with an aggressive 52 off 30 balls. The skipper’s innings, featuring three towering sixes and three fours, set the tone for what would become a record-breaking USA total.

Patel shared an opening stand of 68 runs with Shayan Jahangir (22 off 18) before both fell to the off-spin of Willem Myburgh, who emerged as Namibia’s most economical bowler with figures of 2/22 from his four overs.

Middle Order Fires at Critical Juncture

When Saiteja Mukkamalla departed for 17 off 18 deliveries, the USA found themselves at 103/3 in the 12th over, threatening to lose momentum. However, Krishnamurthi found an able ally in Milind Kumar, and the pair constructed a match-defining partnership.

Kumar played the perfect supporting role, scoring 28 off 20 balls before falling to Gerhard Erasmus in the penultimate over. By then, the damage was done, with the pair having added 87 runs in just 47 deliveries for the fourth wicket.

Shubham Ranjane provided the late flourish, smashing an unbeaten 5 off just 2 balls as USA plundered 22 runs from the final two overs to reach their highest-ever T20 World Cup total.

Namibia’s bowling figures told a tale of two halves – while Myburgh (4-0-22-2) and Bernard Scholtz (4-0-35-0) kept things relatively tidy, Ruben Trumpelmann and JJ Smit proved expensive, conceding 52 and 43 runs respectively in their combined seven overs.

USA keep their #T20WorldCup hopes alive with a solid victory over Namibia 👊

📝: https://t.co/8TCNm3ABpy pic.twitter.com/fdl0fWU2fT

— ICC (@ICC) February 15, 2026

Namibia’s Chase Starts with Promise

Chasing 200 for victory, Namibia began positively with Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck adding 54 runs in just 5.2 overs. Frylinck looked particularly dangerous, hammering 19 off 15 deliveries before falling to a sharp caught-and-bowled chance by Shadley van Schalkwyk.

Steenkamp continued his aggressive intent, reaching a well-deserved fifty off just 34 balls. The opener struck five boundaries and three sixes in his 58-run innings, keeping Namibia’s required rate within reach at the halfway stage.

USA Bowling Attack Stays Composed Under Pressure

The introduction of left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar proved pivotal. The experienced campaigner dismissed the dangerous Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (28 off 17) in the 11th over, breaking a threatening second-wicket stand of 45 runs.

Van Schalkwyk emerged as the pick of the USA bowlers, claiming 2/30 from his four overs, including the crucial wicket of Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus for just 6 runs. The double strike left Namibia reeling at 123/4 in the 15th over.

Despite JJ Smit’s fighting 31 off 23 deliveries and a unusual “retired out” cameo from Zane Green (18 off 13), the required rate ballooned beyond reach. Shubham Ranjane capped off an excellent all-round performance by removing Smit with just one ball remaining in the innings.

Ali Khan, despite going for 43 runs in his four overs, picked up the crucial wicket of Smit and maintained his characteristic aggression at the death.