ICC T20 World Cup 2026 | India vs Namibia: All eyes on Abhishek’s recovery as Pakistan clash looms large

New Delhi: Ahead of their grudge match against Pakistan in four day's time, India would be fretting over the recovery of their destructive opener Abhishek Sharma than the challenge Namibia would pose when the hosts lock horns with the African team in their second Group A match here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday.

The left-hander was discharged on Wednesday from the hospital after being treated for stomach infection, but, for obvious reasons, didn't take part in India's optional practice session on the eve of the match. While it's unlikely he would take the field on Thursday against Namibia, India would certainly hope he is ready for the Pakistan game, not just for the bruising start he provides, but also the kind of intimidating factor he carries on to the field. 

The direct beneficiary of this development will be Sanju Samson, who has ceded his opening slot to Ishan Kishan after a long run of failures in the series against New Zealand, preceding the T20 World Cup.  

The match against minnows will also help India test the match fitness of Jasprit Bumrah who caused a minor flutter in the Indian ranks after hurting Kishan with a yorker. Though the in-form wicketkeeper-batter returned to bat again after what appeared to be a precautionary break, it was also an indicator of Bumrah's progress following a break due to illness.

In a game that is, with due respect to Namibia, no more than a warm-up game for India before they fly out to Colombo to meet their arch-rivals with an additional layer of spice added to an already hot contest, India would hope to win the toss and opt to bat first to test their batters most of whom came undone on a tacky Mumbai pitch against the USA. Unlike in Mumbai, however, Delhi promises to be a belter of a surface on which Namibia would need a divine intervention to stop the Indian batters at a venue whose short dimensions make bowlers' job even more arduous.

That said, the unfamiliarity factor of Namibia players remains the visitors' USP. Perhaps, that's what pushed them to the brink against the USA, and they would be smarter by the experience.  

After a good outing against the USA, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel might prove more than a handful for the inexperienced Namibia who have rarely played under lights except, perhaps, during the ICC events. They didn't even get a chance to practice under lights on the eve of their match, while Oman, who have an afternoon match here on Friday, practiced alongside India.

Talking of Axar, the left-arm spin all-rounder would, in all likelihood, bat higher up the order after he was sent at No. 8 against the USA. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, on Tuesday, acknowledged the mistake of promoting Rinku Singh at No. 6 after losing the first four wickets.

"We just had a hunch the other night that we wanted to get Rinku a bit of game time as well. We want guys to be adaptable and versatile to be able to bat in different situations, different positions. But I think a lesson maybe from the other night is that we stick with what we have done over the last 12 months. And Axar has been very good at that. His game's well suited to that role. And going forward, you're more likely to see Axar coming in if we find ourselves in trouble," ten Doeschate reasoned.