T20 World Cup: A chance for Men in Blue to get their act together

On a chilly Thursday (February 12, 2026) evening in the national capital, India’s fixture against Namibia in Group A of the T20 World Cup is likely to provide an air of calm before the heat ramps up versus Pakistan in Colombo’s humid climes. With due regard to the African unit, led by Gerhard Erasmus, it is difficult to envisage any result other than an India win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The precise margin may boil down to just how ruthless the defending champion intends to be.

Particularly after the game against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 84 glossed over a shaky batting display, the co-hosts will want to deliver a thorough performance before taking the flight to Sri Lanka for the high-pitched battle of the neighbours.

While the surface in Mumbai wasn’t exactly given to an exhibition of attacking strokeplay, recent history at this venue suggests that India’s batters should relish the conditions.

Opener Abhishek Sharma, however, looks unlikely to be one among them. The southpaw, who was dismissed for a first-ball duck against the USA and took no further part in that game, was hospitalised with a stomach bug after the team landed in Delhi. Though he was discharged on Wednesday (February 11, 2026), his absence from training on consecutive days here indicates that he won’t quite be right in time for the contest. With sterner challenges on the horizon, it is prudent for India to tread cautiously with the daredevil batter.

If Abhishek needs more time to recover, Sanju Samson may find a route back into the playing XI. The 31-year-old was dropped for the T20 World Cup opener after subpar returns in the preceding series against New Zealand. He and Ishan Kishan were the first batters to hit the nets on match eve. There was a minor scare when Kishan copped a blow on the toe while facing Jasprit Bumrah, but he did bat after that.

Bumrah’s presence in the nets, of course, was a source of comfort for India. Having missed the duel against the USA due to illness, the pace spearhead operated at full tilt in training. His availability may compel India to leave out Mohammed Siraj despite his three-wicket haul in Mumbai.

For Namibia’s players, the opportunity to rub shoulders with the Men in Blue is rare. The only meeting between the two sides came at the 2021 T20 World Cup, when India won by nine wickets.