Highlights, India vs Namibia Live Cricket Score, T20 World Cup 2021, Full Cricket Score: Men in Blue sign off with comprehensive 9-wicket win

22:57 (IST)

That brings us to the end of our coverage of India's final match of the 2021 T20 World Cup, with Virat Kohli's reign as T20I skipper as well as Ravi Shastri's tenure as Team India head coach ending with a clinical nine-wicket thrashing of Namibia in Dubai. India did bounce back from their back-to-back defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand, bossing Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia in their next three to finish third in Group 2, and were starting to peak towards the end of the Super 12s. With this kind of form and momentum, they certainly would have been a force to reckon in the semis, though their hopes of making it to the knockouts had been dashed a day before with the Black Caps' eight-wicket win over the Afghans.

Time for the Indians to take a break from the bio-bubble and rest for a while before their home series against the Kiwis. The tournament will also pause for a day, with the semi-finals taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, with the final on Sunday. For now, it's time for us to bid you all good night!

22:45 (IST)

Virat Kohli, captaining India one last time in T20Is:It’s been an honour, as I said at the toss. Things have to be kept in the right perspective. This was the right time for me to manage my workload. It’s been amazing and so much fun. Great bunch of guys who’ve played together for so long. I know we haven't gone further, but we’ve played some good cricket in this tournament. Playing with a great bunch of guys has made my job easier. Positives, the way we played the last three games. It’s a game of small margins. We’re not a team that’s going to make arguments about the toss. We weren’t brave enough in the first two games. (On Shastri and the coaching staff) Big thank you to all those guys. They’ve done a tremendous job all these years, keeping this group together. Just a great environment with those guys around. They became just an extended part of the family. They’ve contributed immensely to Indian cricket. (On his intent post-captaincy) That’s never going to change. If I can’t do that, I won’t play this game anymore. Even when I wasn’t captain, I was keen to learn. I’m not a guy who will just stand around. Surya didn’t get much game in this World Cup, and I just thought it might be a nice memory for him to take back as well. As a young player, you want to take some good memories back.

22:44 (IST)

Gerhard Erasmus, Namibia captain: Quick turnarounds between the games, so we haven’t been able to quite soak in what’s been happening. We managed to compete in many of these games. If we put ourselves out in more tournaments like these, we’ll only grow. Trumpelman  hit his straps in the game against Scotland. As a team, we’ll take this experience as a whole. We’ve probably inspired another generation of cricketers looking to represent Namibia.

22:33 (IST)

Ravindra Jadeja is the Player of the Match for a second game running!

Jadeja: As a bowler, I did enjoy bowling today because ball was dry. Some ball was turning, some were going straight. Batsmen have to keep guessing. I'm enjoying bowling with him (Ashwin). He's been doing wonderful wiht the white ball. Virat has been wonderful with captaincy, and I've played with him for 10-12 years. Support staff, Ravi bhai, Bharat Arun and Sri bhai have done a tremendous job. As a team unit, we've had a very good time.

22:30 (IST)

After 15.2 overs,India 136/1 ( KL Rahul 54 , Suryakumar Yadav 25)

India win by 9 wickets with 28 balls to spare!

Fittingly, it's KL Rahul who collects the winning run for Team India as the Men in Blue sign off from what was otherwise a disappointing World Cup campaign with a comprehensive victory over the Namibians. It's also curtains down on Virat Kohli's reign as T20I captain, as well as the Kohli-Shastri era with Ravi Shastri making way for Rahul Dravid for the head coach's role at the end of this match.

22:25 (IST)

After 15 overs,India 131/1 ( KL Rahul 50 , Suryakumar Yadav 25)

Nine off Loftie-Eaton’s final over of the evening, with India needing just two more to win after this, as KL Rahul brings up his third half-century of the tournament in 35 deliveries.

22:24 (IST)

Fifty up for KL Rahul off 35 deliveries — his third of the ongoing tournament! Pity we won't see this class batter any further in the tournament. IND 130/1

22:21 (IST)

After 14 overs,India 122/1 ( KL Rahul 47 , Suryakumar Yadav 19)

Trumpelmann returns, with the match reaching its business end. Rahul moves to 46 with a lovely aerial drive down the ground, the ball bouncing a couple of times before crossing the boundary rope. Yadav pulls towards the vacant midwicket fence three balls later to collect his third boundary. He ends the over with a single off a miscued pull. 11 from the over. India need just 11 more to win from 36 deliveries. Can they finish the job with a couple of big hits? Or will they do the job with singles?

22:18 (IST)

After 13 overs,India 111/1 ( KL Rahul 42 , Suryakumar Yadav 13)

Six from the over, including a boundary to SKY off the second ball off a cheeky little scoop towards the vacant fine leg. India cruising towards the target at the moment, needing another 22 off 42.

22:12 (IST)

After 12 overs,India 105/1 ( KL Rahul 41 , Suryakumar Yadav 8)

Michael van Lingen introduced into the attack. Rahul, meanwhile, brings up the 100 for his team with a brace off the third, before collecting a boundary next ball with a well-timed flick towards deep midwicket to move into the 40s. A single and a dot to end the over. India need 28 off 48.

22:10 (IST)

After 11 overs,India 96/1 ( KL Rahul 33 , Suryakumar Yadav 7)

SKY gets off the mark with a brace off the third delivery of Loftie-Eaton’s second, with a fine save by Baard at deep point saving a couple of runs for the Namibians. Yadav, though, gets a boundary next ball as he targets the boundary in front of square on the off side with an aerial drive. Nine from the over. India need 37 off 54.

22:09 (IST)

After 10 overs,India 87/1 ( KL Rahul 31 , Suryakumar Yadav 0)

Rohit’s stay at the crease finally comes to an end as he gets a thick top-edge off the penultimate delivery of Frylinck’s second over, resulting in an easy catch for the keeper as Hitman departs for a 37-ball 56. 10 off the over along with the wicket, with Suryakumar Yadav walking in ahead of skipper Virat Kohli at No 3. India need 46 at the halfway stage.

22:01 (IST)

OUT! Rohit's charmed stay at the crease finally comes to an end as he ends up getting a thick top-edge off Frylinck, the ball almost going level with the stadium lights before landing between keeper Zane Green's gloves. IND 86/1

Rohit c Green b Frylinck 56(37)

21:59 (IST)

After 9 overs,India 77/0 ( KL Rahul 22 , Rohit Sharma 55)

Leg-spinner Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton brought into the attack in the ninth over, conceding seven off the over including a four to Rohit off the fourth delivery. India need another 56 to win off 54.

21:53 (IST)

After 8 overs,India 70/0 ( KL Rahul 20 , Rohit Sharma 50)

Rohit tucks the ball off his pads off the second delivery to move to 49, before bringing up his second fifty of the tournament, and his 24th overall in the format, with a single three balls later. Seven from the over. India need another 63 off 72.

21:52 (IST)

Fifty up for Rohit Sharma in just 31 deliveries, his 24th in T20Is and his second of the ongoing tournament. Brings up the milestone with a single off Smit in the eighth over. IND 69/0

21:48 (IST)

After 7 overs,India 63/0 ( KL Rahul 18 , Rohit Sharma 45)

Jan Frylinck, replacing Karl Birkenstock in the Namibian lineup today, introduced after the powerplay. Single off each of the first five deliveries, before Rohit guides the ball towards the fine leg fence off the last delivery to move to 45. India need 70 off 78.

21:47 (IST)

After 6 overs,India 54/0 ( KL Rahul 15 , Rohit Sharma 39)

Rohit collects an easy single at the start of JJ Smit’s spell as the left-arm seamer gets introduced. Lovely punch off Rahul’s bat next ball as he moves to double figures. The pair continue to collect the ones and twos, bringing up the fifty partnership inside the powerplay in the process. India need 79 off 84.

21:46 (IST)

Fifty partnership up between openers Rohit and Rahul, the pair achieving the feat for a third match running! Rahul collects a single off Smit in the third delivery of the sixth over to bring up the milestone. IND 50/0

21:39 (IST)

After 5 overs,India 44/0 ( KL Rahul 7 , Rohit Sharma 37)

Left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz introduced in the fifth over. Starts off with a loud appeal for LBW against Rohit, with the Namibians going for the review after it is turned down. Turns out the ball hit Rohit on the arm with the impact outside off. Rohit gets a wide delivery next up, cutting it through point for an easy boundary and moving to 30. Smashes Scholtz over long two balls later for his second maximum as he continues to stamp his class on the Namibians. Keeps the strike once again with a single off the last delivery. 11 from the over.

21:39 (IST)

After 4 overs,India 33/0 ( KL Rahul 7 , Rohit Sharma 26)

ohit collects a single at the start of the over. Rahul then decides to tee off, collecting his first maximum with an effortless swing of the bat to send the ball flying over the midwicket fence off the second delivery. Wiese keeps things tight in the remainder of his second over with four consecutive dots. Seven from the over. India off to a positive start so far.

21:29 (IST)

After 3 overs,India 26/0 ( KL Rahul 1 , Rohit Sharma 25)

Trumpelmann continues. Rohit smacks the ball over mid off for his second boundary of the innings to become only the third batter to complete 3,000 T20I runs. Another mishit two balls later from Rohit, and once again the ball falls short of the fielder, this time at midwicket. Rohit’s looking sublime when nailing his shots, but is also offering the Namibians plenty of chances. Nine from the third over.

21:24 (IST)

After 2 overs,India 17/0 ( KL Rahul 1 , Rohit Sharma 16)

David Wiese operates from the other end. Another boundary to Rohit, this time no risk involved as he comfortably clears the infield with a lofted drive over the covers. Miscues a pull next delivery to nearly get caught at mid on, but nails it next ball to collect the first six of the innings, the ball disappearing into the stands beyond long leg. 11 from the over.

21:21 (IST)

After 1 over,India 6/0 ( KL Rahul 1 , Rohit Sharma 5)

Ruben Trumpelmann bowls the first over of the Indian chase. Rahul gets off the mark right away with a single, with Rohit nearly perishing two balls later as he pulls straight to the man at short fine off a back-of-length ball. Unfortunately for the Namibians, the ball bounces off the fielder’s hands and goes all the way to the boundary. Six from the first over.

21:18 (IST)

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul walk to the centre at the start of the Indian innings. Ruben Trumpelmann to bowl the first over. Will the Namibians make the Indians sweat for a victory today? Or achieve the unthinkable? Or will the openers lay the foundation for yet another comfortable win?

21:03 (IST)

A not-so-happy outing for Shami (0/39) today

Nasser's 'one minute down, next minute up' line can totally explain Shami's T20 bowling, specially his death bowling.

— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) October 1, 2021

20:58 (IST)

After 20 overs,Namibia 132/8 ( Jan Frylinck 15 , Ruben Trumpelmann 13)

Trumpelmann gives the innings a late impetus with a six and a four off consecutive deliveries, spoiling the over for Shami after he started off with a couple of sharp deliveries. The No 10 batter then collects a brace and a single off the next two balls as Namibia set India 133 to win after being asked to bat.

20:54 (IST)

After 19 overs,Namibia 119/8 ( Jan Frylinck 15 , Ruben Trumpelmann 0)

Couple of missed run out chances in Bumrah’s final over. Wiese escapes in the first delivery as a throw by Virat from midwicket misses the non-striker’s end just when the batter was looking to collect a second. Frylinck then is caught nearly halfway down the pitch when Bumrah stops the ball and has all three stumps in front of him to aim at, only for his throw to narrowly miss the off pole. Bumrah gets his second wicket in the end as Wiese ends up skiing the ball towards extra cover, where Rohit collects an easy catch. Frylinck grabs a brace off the last ball as Bumrah signs off with 2/19.

20:53 (IST)

OUT! Wiese's resistance comes to an end as he ends up mishitting the ball, sending it high up in the air over extra cover with Rohit settling under the ball and comfortably grabbing it. Second wicket for Bumrah in his final over. NAM 117/8

Wiese c Rohit b Bumrah 26(25)

20:44 (IST)

After 17 overs,Namibia 102/7 ( David Wiese 21 , Jan Frylinck 4)

Bumrah returns at the start of Namibia’s slog overs, with seven runs being added to the total in this over including four leg byes off the fourth delivery. Wiese, meanwhile, has looked impressive so far in his run-a-ball 21, and will look to finish things off on a high for his side.

20:40 (IST)

After 16 overs,Namibia 95/7 ( David Wiese 21 , Jan Frylinck 1)

Another wicket falls to spin as Zane Green departs for a golden duck, getting beaten by the turn generated by Ashwin to get his stumps rattled as a result. Ash finishes with 3/20, with Jadeja also getting a three-year this evening. Namibia struggling at 95/7 with four overs left in their innings.

20:39 (IST)

OUT! Grip and turn for Ash as Green ends up getting his stumps shattered, getting beaten while looking to defend the ball. Third wicket for Ash, the second Indian bowler to do so this evening. NAM 95/7

Green b Ashwin 0(1)

20:36 (IST)

After 15 overs,Namibia 93/6 ( David Wiese 20 , Zane Green (W) 0)

Jadeja gives away three singles before signing off with another three-for, as Rohit takes a superb diving catch at extra cover to help dismiss Smit for a run-a-ball 9. The left-arm spinner finishes with 4-0-16-3.

20:35 (IST)

OUT! Another three-wicket haul for Jadeja — the latest coming off his very last delivery of the evening. Rohit collects a fine, low grab at extra cover, lunging forward after a drive by the batter. NAM 93/6

Smit c Rohit b Jadeja 9(9)

20:33 (IST)

After 14 overs,Namibia 90/5 ( David Wiese 18 , JJ Smit 8)

Poor stuff from Chahar in his final over of the evening as he ends up conceding 13 off his fourth to finish with figures of 0/30 in his first World Cup game. Couple of boundaries added to the total in this over, including one to Wiese off the penultimate delivery that was later adjudged a no-ball. Thanks to the occasional boundary, Namibia’s run rate is above six and with Wiese at the crease, a total in the range of 140-150 is still on for them.

20:33 (IST)

After 13 overs,Namibia 77/5 ( David Wiese 12 , JJ Smit 2)

Ashwin in place of Chahar now. Five wides conceded off the third delivery as the offie fires the carrom ball wide down the leg side. Makes up for it by dismissing Erasmus the very next delivery. New batter JJ Smit gets off the mark right away with a single, while a fielding slip-up by Kishan in the fifth delivery allows Wiese to come back for a third. 10 runs and a wicket from this over.

20:26 (IST)

OUT! Ashwin makes up for conceding five wides by getting opposition skipper Erasmus caught-behind off the very next delivery. Erasmus went for the cut, but ended up getting the thickest of nicks. End of what was turning out to be a fruitful fifth-wicket stand. NAM 72/5

Erasmus c Pant b Ashwin 12(20)

20:22 (IST)

After 12 overs,Namibia 67/4 ( Gerhard Erasmus (C) 12 , David Wiese 9)

Five from Jadeja’s third over, a tidy one from the Indian perspective as they look to build pressure by denying the boundaries when not taking wickets.

20:20 (IST)

After 11 overs,Namibia 62/4 ( Gerhard Erasmus (C) 10 , David Wiese 6)

Some respite for the Namibians after a few tough overs as both Erasmus and Wiese collect a boundary each off Chahar, as the leg-spinner ends up conceding 11 off his third. Big partnership needed for the Namibians if they are to post a competitive target from here.

20:16 (IST)

After 10 overs,Namibia 51/4 ( Gerhard Erasmus (C) 4 , David Wiese 1)

Another wicket falls to spin as Loftie-Eaton ends up nicking the ball to Rohit at slip to give Ashwin his first wicket. New batter David Wiese’s almost gets his off stump clipped by a carrom ball in the fifth delivery. Four runs and a wicket from Ashwin’s second, with the Namibians crossing 50 at the halfway stage.

20:16 (IST)

OUT! First wicket for Ashwin as Loftie-Eaton ends up nicking the ball to slip, where Rohit gobbles this up with minimal effort. Turning into a mini collapse for the Namibians now, with the side losing four wickets for just 14 runs after a 33-run opening stand. Time for the players to have a drink after this dismissal. NAM 47/4

Loftie-Eaton c Rohit b Ashwin 5(5)

20:10 (IST)

After 9 overs,Namibia 47/3 ( Gerhard Erasmus (C) 3 , Nicol Loftie-Eaton 5)

Skipper Erasmus and Loftie-Eaton, the two new batters at the crease, work on rotating the strike between themselves through the ones and twos as five runs are added to the Namibian total in Chahar’s 2nd over.

20:09 (IST)

After 8 overs,Namibia 42/3 ( Gerhard Erasmus (C) 2 , Nicol Loftie-Eaton 1)

Board collects his first boundary with a sweep behind square off the second delivery, but ends up getting trapped plumb leg-before two balls later while trying to attempt something similar, as Jadeja gets his 2nd wicket. Baard tries taking this upstairs, and ends up burning a review on his way back to the dugout. Seven runs and a wicket from the over, with two new batters at the crease.

20:04 (IST)

OUT! More trouble for Namibia as Baard is trapped plumb leg-before while trying to sweep through the square leg region. Tries to take it upstairs, but ends up burning a review after getting three reds on HawkEye. NAM 39/3

Baard LBW Jadeja 21(21)

20:02 (IST)

After 7 overs,Namibia 35/2 ( Stephan Baard 17 , Gerhard Erasmus (C) 0)

The spinners continue to tighten their grip on the Namibian batters, with Rahul Chahar — replacing Chakravarthy in the XI in this game — gives away just one from his first over of the evening.

20:01 (IST)

After 6 overs,Namibia 34/2 ( Stephan Baard 16 , Gerhard Erasmus (C) 0)

And now Ravindra Jadeja exerts further pressure on the Namibians from the other end as he gets rid of Craig Williams off just his third delivery of the evening, while giving away just one run from the over. After a solid start to their innings, Namibia lose two quick wickets and reach 34/2 at the end of the powerplay.

20:00 (IST)

OUT! The second wicket comes not long after the first, as Ravindra Jadeja strikes in just his third delivery of the evening. Williams charges down the track, and the left-arm spinner is quick to spot it, putting it out of his reach by altering his line and length. Pant does the rest behind the stumps once the batter is caught a long way off from his crease. NAM 34/2

Williams st Pant b Jadeja 0(4)

19:56 (IST)

After 5 overs,Namibia 33/1 ( Stephan Baard 15 , Craig Williams 0)

Jasprit Bumrah returns to the attack, replacing Shami, and gets the breakthrough that India were hoping to get before the partnership grew too big as Van Lingen departs for a 15-ball 14. Craig Williams walks to the crease next. Two runs and a wicket from the fifth over.

19:52 (IST)

OUT! Jasprit Bumrah with the breakthrough, as van Lingen departs after a promising start. Tries to slog the ball down the ground, but fails to clear the infield and ends up offering Shami a simple catch at mid off with a mishit. NAM 33/1

Van Lingen c Shami b Bumrah 14(15)

19:48 (IST)

After 4 overs,Namibia 31/0 ( Stephan Baard 14 , Michael Van Lingen 13)

Ravichandran Ashwin brought into the attack now, with the Indians eager to break this stand before it grows too worrisome. Some impressive running between the wickets between Baard and van Lingen as the pair collect a couple of singles and doubles, with six coming from this over.