India vs Namibia takes place on Thursday at Arun Jaitley Stadium, with defending champions facing a selection headache. Abhishek Sharma remains hospitalized with a stomach infection, while Jasprit Bumrah returns after recovering from viral fever.
Suryakumar Yadav’s team seeks a second consecutive win against Namibia in a pivotal Group A game in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Already, India vs Namibia tickets sold out within hours as fans packed the venue, hoping to witness another dominant performance. Abhishek’s illness forces team management to reshuffle the batting order for this India vs Namibia T20 World Cup fixture.
Sanju Samson prepares to open after spending weeks on the sidelines. The India vs Namibia lineup undergoes significant changes with Bumrah’s return, strengthening the bowling attack.
Mohammed Siraj makes way as the pace spearhead regains full fitness. Watch India vs Namibia live on Jio Hotstar as the champions look to cement their position atop Group A. This India vs Namibia T20 match promises fireworks despite the African nation entering as heavy underdogs.
Table of Contents
Date, Time, Venue of India vs Namibia Match
- Date: February 13, 2026
- Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Live Streaming: Jio Hotstar
- India vs Namibia 2026 tickets: BookMyShow
Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report
The Delhi surface offers decent bounce and carry for pacers early on. Batters enjoy stroke-making once settled, with the pitch playing true throughout both innings. Dew becomes a factor during evening games, making chasing easier.
Teams batting second have won 62% of matches here in T20 internationals. The wicket rarely breaks down, keeping spinners in supporting roles. Short square boundaries favor pull shots and cuts, while straight hitting demands proper timing.
Winning the toss matters as captains prefer chasing under lights. Scores above 175 prove competitive when defending first.
Team News and Injury Updates
Abhishek Sharma has been admitted to a private hospital in New Delhi for the past two days. The explosive opener battles a stomach infection that first surfaced during India’s opening match against the USA.
He scored a first-ball duck in Mumbai before leaving the field during the second innings. Medical staff conducted tests to determine the severity of his condition. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed Abhishek requires more recovery time.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled at full intensity during Tuesday’s nets after missing the USA clash. The pace spearhead recovered from viral fever that kept him sidelined for 10 days. Bumrah’s return gives India its complete bowling arsenal.
Washington Sundar rejoined the squad after healing from a side tear suffered against New Zealand. He bowled and batted during practice, signaling availability for selection.
Namibia carries no fresh injury concerns but faces a fitness battle with several players nursing minor niggles after their opening loss.
T20I Head-to-Head Records
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 1 |
| India Wins | 1 |
| Namibia Wins | 0 |
| Last Official Meeting | India won by 9 wickets (Nov 8, 2021) |
| Next Official Meeting | Feb 12, 2026 (T20 World Cup Group A) |
Probable Playing XIs
India: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
Namibia: Michael van Lingen, Divan la Cock, Jan Frylinck, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, David Wiese, Zane Green (wk), Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Tangeni Lungameni
Three Tactical Keys
- New Ball Mastery: Bumrah and Arshdeep must exploit the early movement on offer. Namibia’s top order lacks experience against high-quality pace. The opening burst decides whether Namibia posts a competitive total or folds cheaply. India needs quick breakthroughs to expose the fragile middle order.
- Spin Stranglehold: Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel will bowl crucial middle overs. Namibia struggles against quality spin, averaging under 5 runs per over historically. The mystery spin of Varun bamboozles batters unfamiliar with his variations. Axar’s accuracy prevents boundaries during the crucial 7-15 over phase.
- Samson’s Opening Challenge: Sanju replaces Abhishek in a high-pressure situation. He struggled as an opener against New Zealand, managing just 47 runs in three innings. Samson must adapt quickly to the role and provide a solid platform. His partnership with Ishan sets the tone for India’s chase or determines their total batting first.
Players to Watch
- Jasprit Bumrah returns as India’s trump card after recovering from illness. He claimed 18 wickets in his last 10 T20Is at an economy of 6.2. Bumrah’s yorkers and slower balls prove deadly in the death overs. His accuracy troubles batters throughout all phases.
- Sanju Samson gets another opportunity to cement his place in the eleven. He averages 28.4 in T20Is with a strike rate of 145.6. Samson plays spin confidently and attacks pace from ball one. His wicketkeeping remains sharp, providing dual value.
- Suryakumar Yadav leads India’s middle order with authority. The world number one T20I batter averages 43.7 with a ridiculous strike rate of 168.4. Surya manufactures shots from impossible positions, terrorizing bowling attacks globally.
- David Wiese offers Namibia’s best hope with bat and ball. The experienced all-rounder scored 215 runs in his last 8 T20Is at a strike rate of 151.4. He provides crucial lower-order hitting and bowls tight death overs.
- Gerhard Erasmus captains Namibia with smart tactics and solid batting. He averages 32.1 in T20 internationals, anchoring the middle order reliably. Erasmus plays spin well and rotates strike effectively.
Key Stats Before the Match
- India Recent Form: Won vs USA by 29 runs, beat Bangladesh by 50 runs (Super 8s 2024), defeated Sri Lanka by 3 wickets (July 2024), won against Australia by 24 runs (June 2024)
- Namibia Recent Form: Lost to Netherlands by 7 wickets, lost to India A by 130 runs (Warm-up), beat Oman by Super Over (June 2024), lost to England by 41 runs (June 2024)
- Top Run-Scorers This Tournament:
- Suryakumar Yadav (India): 84* runs vs USA
- Zane Green (Namibia): 22 runs vs Netherlands
- Top Wicket-Takers This Tournament:
- Mohammed Siraj (India): 3 wickets vs USA
- Bernard Scholtz (Namibia): 2 wickets vs Netherlands
- Venue Stats (Arun Jaitley Stadium):
- Average first innings score: 139 (T20Is)
- Highest successful chase: 159 by England vs New Zealand (2016)
- Matches won batting first: 33%
- Matches won chasing: 67%
Match Prediction
India enters this India vs Namibia T20 match as overwhelming favorites despite Abhishek’s absence. Their bowling depth and batting firepower dwarf Namibia’s resources. Bumrah’s return strengthens an already formidable attack.
Namibia lacks the quality to challenge India’s spinners on a Delhi pitch offering turn. The defending champions should post 180-plus batting first or chase any target under 160 comfortably. Expect India to win by 60-70 runs if defending or by 7-8 wickets while chasing.
Bumrah will likely claim player of the match honors with a three-wicket haul that dismantles Namibia’s top order within the Powerplay.
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