India vs Namibia T20 World Cup 2026 match preview on Thursday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The defending champions enter the match with confidence but are dealing with injury and illness concerns within their squad.
Namibia, meanwhile, are aiming to bounce back after a tough loss in their previous match and will look to challenge the tournament favourites on Indian soil.
Match Overview
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs Namibia |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Group A |
| Date | Thursday, February 12 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST (13:30 GMT) |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| Live Coverage | Text and photo updates from major sports platforms |
India’s Squad Update: Injury Concerns and Possible Changes
India may be without aggressive opener Abhishek Sharma, who was hospitalized earlier this week due to a stomach illness. Although he has been discharged, team management will assess his fitness before making a final decision.
Middle-order batter Tilak Varma confirmed that Sharma’s recovery is progressing well, but the team will not take unnecessary risks.
There is positive news for Indian fans as pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is expected to return after missing the opening match due to fever. His inclusion would strengthen India’s bowling attack significantly.
India struggled slightly in their opening match against the United States, where their top-ranked T20 batter failed to make a big impact. However, the team remains unbeaten in their last eight T20 World Cup matches, continuing their strong form from the 2024 championship run.
Namibia Ready for a Tough Challenge
Namibia enter this match after a heavy defeat against the Netherlands but remain optimistic about putting up a competitive performance against the two-time world champions.
Head coach Craig Williams described the match as a major opportunity for his team.
He stated that playing India in India would be a memorable experience for players and fans alike. Williams emphasized that Namibia’s success depends on strong top-order batting and building solid partnerships.
Namibia previously stunned South Africa in a historic victory last year, proving they can compete against stronger teams when key players perform well.
Form Guide
India – Last Five Matches
| Result Order | Performance |
|---|---|
| Most Recent | Win |
| 2nd | Win |
| 3rd | Loss |
| 4th | Win |
| 5th | Win |
Namibia – Last Five Matches
| Result Order | Performance |
|---|---|
| Most Recent | Loss |
| 2nd | Win |
| 3rd | Loss |
| 4th | Win |
| 5th | Win |
Team News and Predicted Playing XIs
India Predicted XI
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | Opening Batter |
| Ishan Kishan | Wicketkeeper |
| Tilak Varma | Batter |
| Suryakumar Yadav (C) | Captain / Batter |
| Hardik Pandya | All-rounder |
| Rinku Singh | Batter |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
| Axar Patel | All-rounder |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Fast Bowler |
| Arshdeep Singh | Fast Bowler |
| Varun Chakravarthy | Spinner |
Namibia Predicted XI
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Lourens Steenkamp | Batter |
| Jan Frylinck | All-rounder |
| Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton | Batter |
| Gerhard Erasmus (C) | Captain / All-rounder |
| JJ Smit | All-rounder |
| Zane Green | Wicketkeeper |
| Dylan Leicher | Bowler |
| Willem Myburgh | Bowler |
| Ruben Trumpelmann | Fast Bowler |
| Bernard Scholtz | Spinner |
| Max Heingo | Bowler |
What to Expect from the Match
India will rely on their depth in batting and experienced bowling attack to maintain dominance in Group A. The return of Jasprit Bumrah could provide early breakthroughs.
Namibia’s strategy will focus on disciplined bowling and steady batting partnerships. A strong start from their top order could put pressure on the Indian side, especially given their recent health setbacks.
Final Thoughts
This Group A encounter promises an exciting contest between the reigning champions and an underdog team eager to prove its strength on the global stage. While India remain favourites, Namibia’s fighting spirit and recent history of surprising stronger opponents make this match worth watching.
Cricket fans can expect a lively atmosphere at the Arun Jaitley Stadium as both teams look to secure vital points in the T20 World Cup race.