Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir are certain to make at least one change to India playing XI for the IND vs NAM match, but the Indian team management could be forced to make even two changes as one of their star openers’ fitness is under a cloud.
The hosts got their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign underway with a 29-run victory against the USA in Mumbai, though not before Monank Patel’s bowlers gave India a huge scare when they had them reeling at 77/6.
Captain Suryakumar stepped up to the occasion and thumped 84 precious runs to take the total to 161, which the bowlers then defended successfully.
Though most of the attention and talk surrounds the February 15 IND vs PAK match in Colombo, which is set to take place now that the Pakistani government and the PCB have taken a U-turn on their boycott, India do have a game before that as they face Namibia on February 12, Thursday, in Delhi.
For the fixture against Namibia, India will definitely be making at least one change, with Jasprit Bumrah all but confirmed to play. However, Abhishek Sharma’s participation is now under threat, which could lead to Sanju Samson playing his career’s first T20 World Cup match. Let’s address these two players.
IND vs NAM: Will Jasprit Bumrah play against Namibia?
Yes, Jasprit Bumrah will play against Namibia. The fast bowler missed the match against the USA due to illness and also the warm-up match against South Africa on February 4.
On Tuesday, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that Bumrah is feeling much better now, and the speedster took part in the full training session and bowled at full tilt.
“Booms (Bumrah) will bowl today as well. He’s been what, ten days without bowling, but he’s feeling a lot better and moving a lot better. So we’ll see how training goes today and tomorrow and then put the team together on Friday,” ten Doeschate said.
In Bumrah’s absence, Mohammed Siraj played against the USA and bagged a three-wicket haul. Despite that, Siraj is likely to make way for Bumrah in the next match.
IND vs NAM: Will Abhishek Sharma play against Namibia?
While Bumrah is set to return against Namibia, India are fretting over the health of opener Abhishek Sharma. Abhishek reportedly played against USA with a high fever and has still not recovered from it. It’s possible that India might give Abhishek a rest from the Namibia game, giving him more time to recover completely for Sunday’s high-voltage match against Pakistan.
“Abhi (Abhishek) still has got a few issues with his tummy,” ten Doeschate revealed on Tuesday.
If Abhishek misses the IND vs NAM match, Samson would be the frontrunner to open with Ishan Kishan. Samson was part of India’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup but didn’t get to play a single game as Rishabh Pant was preferred.
Recently, Samson lost his place in India’s first-choice XI to Kishan. Abhishek’s potential absence on Thursday could present Samson with a coveted chance to play in a World Cup game.
Another Indian player who has been under injury doubt for the last month is Washington Sundar, who is part of the squad. Sundar has been out of action owing to a side tear and is now close to full recovery.
The off-spinning all-rounder joined the Indian team in Delhi but is unlikely to play against Namibia, though his services could be called upon against Pakistan in spin-friendly Colombo.
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