🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026:M18: India vs Namibia, Delhi 🏏 - Page 2

What is the Context of the IND vs NAM match?

India will be sweating upon Abhishek Sharma, who was hospitalised due to a stomach bug before being released. One can see Sanju Samson get a chance as India will want Sharma to take rest ahead of the clash against Pakistan on Sunday.

Jasprit Bumrah is likely to make a return after missing the USA clash. He bowled full throttle in the last two days and should reclaim his spot from Mohammed Siraj. Notably, Siraj claimed a three-wicket haul against the USA after replacing Harshit Rana.

Namibia suffered a 7-wicket loss against the Netherlands in their T20 World Cup opener. After scoring 156/8, they saw the Dutch hit 159/3.

As per ESPNcricinfo, India and Namibia have met once before in T20Is, with the Men in Blue winning the same.

IND vs NAM Probable Best Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter: Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson (Photo by Shubhajit Roy Karmakar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Sanju Samson may finally play his first-ever T20 World Cup match, since Abhishek Sharma isn't fit and available for the clash. He will be seen opening alongside Ishan Kishan. Samson will be wary of the fact that he may not get any further chances in the competition, and would want to put his A-game on display in his outing with the bat at the Kotla deck.

Probable Best Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah(Photo by Shubhajit Roy Karmakar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah missed the USA encounter owing to a high fever, but he is ready to hit the ground running for the Thursday evening. His immaculate line and lengths and ability to contain the flow of runs has often resulted in early breakthroughs for the Indian team over the years. Bumrah is also the leader of India's pace attack and will look to prove his worth during his four-over spell in the upcoming tie.

Today's Match Prediction:

India to win the match

India
SECOND TO BAT

POWERPLAY: 40-50

170-180

Namibia

SECOND TO BAT

POWERPLAY: 80-90

240-250

Will India Have One Eye On Colombo

India has to take a long flight to Colombo and play arch-rivals Pakistan in three days. The conditions in Sri Lanka are extremely spin-friendly, and India could need to play another spinner. Will The Suryakumar Yadav-led side get Kuldeep Yadav or Washington Sundar in the playing XI today and ensure they get game time before the marquee clash?

Can Namibia Make a Mark?

Namibia had stunned the world in the 2022 T20 World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka. Can they cause another upset in 2026? they face India today and Pakistan on 18th February in Colombo.

Indian Batters Aim To Put Up A Show.

The Indian batting line-up will aim to put up a show today after the disappointing display against the USA. Many expected the Men in Blue to get 300, but they struggled to get to 160. Playing the situation and handling the pressure of a big tournament is a big test for India.

To Secure Super 8 Place

If India wins this game, it will put them and Pakistan on the cusp of a Super 8 spot even before they face each other, which will reduce the pressure to a certain extent.

Gerhard Erasmus Reveals Unfair Advantage To India

Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus raised questions over ICC a day before the match

He revealed that they were not allowed to train under lights while India got two sessions in the night.

"Yeah, we haven't been given a night training [session] before this game, I don't know why. I think India has two night training [sessions] and I see outside that Canada will have a night training now, so make of that what you want, but we'll just rock up and do our Namibian way, which is to fight," said Erasmus in a pre-match press conference.

India Stat Tournament By Surviving Major Scare

While at the end of the day, India beat the USA by a comfortable margin of 29 runs, India got out of jail at the Wankhede Stadium. The hosts were 45-4 in the powerplay and 77-6 later. Only a special knock by Captain Suryakumar Yadav (84 of 49) ensured India got 161 on the board. Later, Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers (3-29), while Arshdeep Singh (2-18) and Axar Patel (2-24) got two wickets each.

Jasprit Bumrah Set To Return

Jasprit Bumrah missed the tournament opener against the USA due to an illness. He did not take part in the warm-up game vs SA either. The star pacer has bowled in the nets over the last two days and will return to the playing XI. Mohammed Siraj is likely to miss out despite his match-winning display in the first game.

Ishan Kishan Doubtful

Ishan Kishan also suffered an injury scare on the eve of the game. He was hit on the toe by a Jasprit Bumrah yorker. While the injury was described as not serious, more will only be known when the team arrives at the ground today. if Abhishek is not ready to play and Ishan Kishan is also not ready, India will have to field a makeshift opener and play the game with one specialist batter less.

Key Details:

1. Toss Time: 6:30 PM IST
2. Match Start: 7:00 PM IST
3. Pitch Report: A batting-friendly track is expected, with big runs on offer
4. Weather Report: No rain is expected. Temperatures are expected to range between 11 and 24 degrees Celsius. AQI levels—Poor
5. India's result so far: 1 win in 1 match (Beat USA by 29 runs)
6. Namibia's result so far: 1 loss in 1 match (Lost to Netherlands by 7 wickets)
7. India's team news: Abhishek Sharma (illness) and Ishan Kishan (hit on toe) doubtful
8. Jasprit Bumrah set to return from illness
9. Head-to-Head: Played 1, India won - 1, Namibia won - 0