India and Namibia are facing each other in Match 18 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. In a key Group A clash, Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus won the toss and chose to bowl first, putting India in to bat.
The decision was taken keeping the dew factor in mind, as chasing becomes easier under lights at this venue. The match started at 7:00 PM IST after the toss at 6:30 PM IST.
Big Update: Abhishek Sharma Misses the Match
The biggest news before the match is that Abhishek Sharma is not part of the playing XI. India captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that the left-handed opener is recovering from a stomach infection and may miss a couple of games.
Abhishek had fallen ill during the previous match against USA and was even hospitalized. Although he has been discharged, he is yet to regain full fitness.
His absence has opened the door for Sanju Samson, who makes his first appearance in the T20 World Cup 2026. Samson is expected to open the innings and will also handle wicketkeeping duties.
India Playing XI (Confirmed)
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | Opener, Wicketkeeper |
| Ishan Kishan | Opener |
| Tilak Varma | Batter |
| Suryakumar Yadav (C) | Batter |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
| Hardik Pandya | All-rounder |
| Rinku Singh | Finisher |
| Axar Patel | All-rounder |
| Varun Chakravarthy | Spinner |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Fast bowler |
| Arshdeep Singh | Fast bowler |
Another positive update for India is the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the previous match due to illness.
Namibia Playing XI
| Player |
|---|
| Zane Green (wk) |
| Michael van Lingen / Steenkamp |
| Jan Frylinck |
| Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton |
| Gerhard Erasmus (C) |
| JJ Smit |
| Dylan Leicher |
| Ruben Trumpelmann |
| Bernard Scholtz |
| Max O’Dowd / Heingo |
| Willem Myburgh |
Namibia have gone with a balanced side, focusing on chasing under favorable night conditions.
Match Context and Pitch Report
India come into this game with confidence after defeating USA by 29 runs in their opening match. They will be aiming for their second consecutive win to strengthen their position in the group.
The Delhi pitch is generally good for batting, but as the game progresses, spinners could also come into play. With short boundaries and evening dew, a high-scoring contest is expected.
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With a strong batting lineup and key players returning, India will look to post a big total and put pressure on Namibia. At the same time, Namibia’s decision to bowl first shows their intent to chase and take advantage of conditions.
The match is crucial for both teams as the race for qualification starts heating up in Group A. Fans can expect an exciting contest under lights in Delhi.
