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Namibia National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team matches have been relatively rare, but every meeting between the two sides has taken place on the international stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup or ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Despite Namibia’s growth as an international cricket team, India have maintained a perfect record against them.
The two teams have played three senior men’s international matches so far: one ODI at the 2003 Cricket World Cup and two T20Is at the 2021 and 2026 Men’s T20 World Cups. India have won all three matches, including a 181-run ODI victory in 2003, a nine-wicket T20I win in 2021 and a 93-run victory in 2026.
This makes the Namibia vs India cricket rivalry unusual because the teams have never played a regular bilateral series. Their meetings have instead come as part of major ICC tournaments.
Namibia vs India Head-to-Head Record
The Namibia National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team head-to-head record is strongly in India’s favor.
| Format | Matches | India Won | Namibia Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
India have therefore won 100% of their completed senior men’s international matches against Namibia.
Namibia National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Matches Timeline
The complete match history is short but covers more than two decades.
| Date | Tournament | Format | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 February 2003 | ICC Cricket World Cup | ODI | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | India won by 181 runs |
| 8 November 2021 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | T20I | Dubai, UAE | India won by 9 wickets |
| 12 February 2026 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | T20I | Delhi, India | India won by 93 runs |
These three matches represent the entire current senior men’s international head-to-head record between Namibia and India.
First Match: India vs Namibia at the 2003 World Cup
The first Namibia National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team match took place on 23 February 2003 during the ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
India batted first and produced a huge total of 311/2 in 50 overs. Sachin Tendulkar was the outstanding performer, scoring 152 runs. India then bowled Namibia out for 130, securing a massive 181-run victory.
The match was historically important for Namibia because the 2003 tournament was their first appearance at the Cricket World Cup. Their campaign included matches against several of the world’s leading cricket nations, including India, Australia, England and Pakistan.
India Batting Performance in 2003
India’s 311/2 was built around an exceptional innings from Tendulkar. His 152 formed the foundation of India’s huge total.
| India Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 152 |
| Virender Sehwag | 24 |
| India total | 311/2 |
Namibia struggled to keep up with India’s scoring rate and were eventually dismissed for 130.
Namibia’s 2003 World Cup Challenge
Namibia’s 130 in reply was not enough to challenge India’s total. India won by 181 runs, which remains the biggest victory margin in this head-to-head rivalry.
The match also became one of the most memorable games in Namibia’s early World Cup history because it gave their players the opportunity to compete against a powerful Indian side featuring several legendary cricketers.
Namibia vs India T20 World Cup Match in 2021
The teams met again 18 years later at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Dubai on 8 November 2021.
India won the toss and bowled first. Namibia scored 132/8 from their 20 overs. India then produced a comfortable chase, reaching 136/1 and winning by nine wickets.
The result gave India another convincing victory over Namibia and extended their unbeaten head-to-head record.
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | 132/8 | Lost |
| India | 136/1 | Won by 9 wickets |
The nine-wicket victory remains India’s biggest winning margin by wickets against Namibia in T20I cricket.
India vs Namibia T20I Match in 2026
The latest Namibia National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team match took place on 12 February 2026 during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Delhi.
India produced another dominant performance, scoring 209/9 from their 20 overs. Namibia were then restricted to 116, giving India a 93-run victory.
This was India’s biggest T20I victory against Namibia by runs.
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| India | 209/9 | Won |
| Namibia | 116 | Lost |
| Winning margin | — | India won by 93 runs |
The 2026 encounter also became the highest-scoring T20I match between the two teams, with India reaching 209/9.
Highest Team Scores in Namibia vs India Matches
India have produced the two highest team totals in the three-match rivalry.
| Format | Team | Score | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | India | 311/2 | 2003 |
| T20I | India | 209/9 | 2026 |
| T20I | India | 136/1 | 2021 |
| T20I | Namibia | 132/8 | 2021 |
| T20I | Namibia | 116 | 2026 |
| ODI | Namibia | 130 | 2003 |
India’s 311/2 in the 2003 World Cup remains the highest team score recorded in Namibia vs India matches.
Biggest Wins in Namibia vs India Matches
India have won all three matches by substantial margins.
| Match | Winning Margin |
|---|---|
| India vs Namibia, 2003 ODI | 181 runs |
| India vs Namibia, 2021 T20I | 9 wickets |
| India vs Namibia, 2026 T20I | 93 runs |
The 2003 ODI produced the largest victory margin, while the 2021 T20I was India’s biggest win by wickets. The 2026 match became India’s largest T20I victory by runs against Namibia.
Sachin Tendulkar’s 152 in the 2003 Match
Sachin Tendulkar’s performance is one of the defining moments in the history of Namibia National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team matches.
Tendulkar scored 152 runs from 151 balls during India’s 311/2. His innings provided the foundation for India’s huge score and helped India establish complete control of the match.
The innings remains the highest individual score recorded in this particular head-to-head rivalry.
India Dominance in T20I Cricket
The two most recent meetings have demonstrated India’s dominance in T20 cricket.
In 2021, Namibia scored 132/8 before India completed the chase with only one wicket down. Five years later, India reversed the approach by batting first and posting 209/9 before dismissing Namibia for 116.
This shows that India have been able to win the matchup in different ways. They can successfully chase a target or put Namibia under scoreboard pressure with a large total.
Namibia’s Progress in International Cricket
Although Namibia have lost all three matches against India, their overall development as an international team has been significant.
Their appearance at the 2003 World Cup marked an important stage in their cricket history. Since then, Namibia have established themselves as a competitive Associate side and have regularly appeared in global tournaments.
Their qualification for multiple editions of the Men’s T20 World Cup has provided opportunities to face Full Member nations such as India.
The 2021 meeting was particularly significant because Namibia were competing against India in a global T20 tournament after years of development in the shorter format.
Why Namibia vs India Matches Are Special
The Namibia National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team matches are special because they have all occurred at ICC global tournaments.
Unlike many international rivalries, India and Namibia have not played a bilateral Test, ODI or T20I series. Instead, their meetings have been determined by tournament schedules.
This means every match has carried additional importance. Namibia have faced India with the pressure and excitement of playing at a World Cup, while India have had the opportunity to test their squad against an emerging Associate nation.
Namibia vs India Match Records
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Total international matches | 3 |
| India wins | 3 |
| Namibia wins | 0 |
| India win percentage | 100% |
| Namibia win percentage | 0% |
| Highest India score | 311/2 |
| Highest Namibia score | 132/8 |
| Biggest India win | 181 runs |
| Biggest T20I win by India | 93 runs |
| Biggest T20I win by wickets | 9 wickets |
| Latest meeting | 12 February 2026 |
| Latest winner | India |
The head-to-head figures show complete Indian dominance so far.
Namibia vs India Matches at ICC World Cups
All three matches have been played at ICC World Cup events.
| Year | World Cup | Match Format | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | ICC Cricket World Cup | ODI | India |
| 2021 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | T20I | India |
| 2026 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | T20I | India |
This gives the rivalry a unique identity. India and Namibia have not needed a bilateral series to develop a competitive history because their meetings have occurred on the biggest international stages.
What the Record Says About the Rivalry
The statistics tell a very clear story. India have won every match, scored the highest totals and recorded the largest winning margins.
However, the short history should also be viewed in context. Namibia have played only three matches against India, so the sample size is much smaller than India’s records against many other international teams.
For Namibia, each future meeting will provide another opportunity to challenge one of cricket’s strongest teams. A first victory would therefore represent a major milestone for the Namibian national side.
For India, maintaining their unbeaten record would be another indication of their consistency against Associate opposition.
Future of Namibia National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Matches
The future of this matchup will largely depend on ICC tournament draws and qualification schedules.
If Namibia and India are placed in the same group or tournament stage again, their previous three meetings will provide an interesting backdrop. India will enter with a 3–0 advantage, while Namibia will be looking for the first victory in the rivalry.
The development of Namibia’s T20 cricket could also make future encounters increasingly competitive. More experience against Full Member teams can help Namibia improve their tactical approach, batting depth and bowling options.
Final Thoughts
The history of Namibia National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team matches is short but memorable. The teams have met three times in senior men’s international cricket, with India winning every encounter.
The first meeting came at the 2003 Cricket World Cup, when India scored 311/2 and won by 181 runs. The teams met again at the 2021 T20 World Cup, where India won by nine wickets. Their latest meeting came at the 2026 T20 World Cup in Delhi, where India scored 209/9 and defeated Namibia by 93 runs.
India therefore lead the overall head-to-head record 3–0. Namibia have yet to defeat India, but the growth of Namibian cricket means future meetings could provide new chapters in this developing international rivalry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have Namibia and India played each other in international cricket?
Namibia and India have played three senior men’s international matches: one ODI in 2003 and two T20Is in 2021 and 2026.
Who has won more Namibia vs India matches?
India have won all three completed international matches against Namibia. Namibia have not yet recorded a victory over India.
When did Namibia and India first play each other?
The first Namibia vs India international match took place on 23 February 2003 at the ICC Cricket World Cup in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. India won by 181 runs.
What was the highest score in Namibia vs India matches?
India’s 311/2 in the 2003 ODI is the highest team score in the rivalry. Sachin Tendulkar scored 152 in that innings.
When was the latest Namibia vs India match?
The latest meeting was on 12 February 2026 at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Delhi. India scored 209/9 and defeated Namibia by 93 runs.