Herschel Gibbs slams Hardik Pandya: India won the second match against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. The Men in Blue defeated the African nation by 93 points. Hardik Pandya played a key role in India’s resounding win last night, with his all-round performance first helping the team score well and then restricting them as well.

Hardik Pandya scored a 28-ball 52 in this match and picked up two wickets in four overs, scoring just 21 runs. India started well, scoring 104 runs in just seven overs, but found themselves struggling with slow wickets after Namibia spinners reversed course in the middle overs. Starting at 104/2, India were 124/4 in 12 overs.

Hardik Pandya shows his power against Namibia

However, the run rate dropped and Hardik Pandya showed his experience by hitting four sixes and as many fours in a blistering innings after taking some balls. He also smashed the longest six-wicket haul of the 2026 T20 World Cup against Bernard Scholtz, with a score of 109 metres. Pandya’s all-round performance earned him the Man of the Match award.

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After receiving the Man of the Match award, the explosive all-rounder suggested in his post-match speech that the pitch should be flatter. With India playing on slower wickets in their first two games in Mumbai and Delhi, the ball has been caught and turned a bit.

Hershel Gibbs takes funny dig at Hardik Pandya

Responding to his demand for a flatter wicket, former South Africa opener Hershel Gibbs shared his insights and took a funny dig at India’s star all-rounder. “When the pitch isn’t flat, you see more skill,” he said on X (formerly Twitter). He also used a winking emoji when making the statement.

This is the tweet

You’ll see more tricks when the pitch isn’t flat 😉 https://t.co/ngRFJ3iudy

— Hershel Gibbs (@hershybru) February 13, 2026

Gibbs was also talking to a fan, and when the fan said, “Sir, he’s a very dangerous T20 batsman,” he replied, “Dangerous batsmen don’t complain about bowling, man.” In that comment, another fan said, “Just like Herschel, never complains.” He said, “Go back to sleep.”

India to face South Africa in knockout round?

India and South Africa were the finalists of the last T20 World Cup. The Men in Blue defeated the Proteas by 7 runs in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados to win their second T20 title. The Men in Blue currently top the table with four points. They will face Pakistan in their next match on Sunday.

South Africa will be looking to work on their bowling after being knocked out of the double-super match against Afghanistan. With a total of 188 points, they almost failed to defend their title. They will next play New Zealand, who are in great form after a ten-wicket win over the UAE.

If both India and South Africa advance to the Super 8 stage, they will face each other in the same group. Because it is pre-determined based on team rankings in the shortest format.

Also read: Hardik Pandya angry with BCCI and pitch curators during T20 World Cup