Before the T20 World Cup 2026 match at Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 11, 2026, Namibia’s captain raised concerns about the fairness of the match schedule against India. As the ‘Eagles’ get ready to challenge the defending champions at their home ground, the focus has shifted to the preparation facilities provided by the ICC. This comes at a critical time for Namibia, as they need a win to stay in the Super 8 race after losing their initial match.
Gerhard Erasmus questions ‘unfair’ training schedule in Delhi ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 game vs India
Namibia’s captain Gerhard Erasmus has raised issues with the ICC over the absence of night training sessions for his team prior to their important game against India. In a media talk before the match, Erasmus pointed out a significant difference in the practice times available to both teams at the stadium. While India has been permitted two night training sessions, Namibia was restricted to practice slots from 2 PM to 5 PM, which does not allow them to adjust to the nighttime conditions for their 7 PM match.
“We haven’t been given a night training session before this game; I’m not sure why. I believe India has had two night sessions, and I see outside that Canada will have a night training now. You can make of that what you want, but we’ll just rock up and do it the Namibian way, which is to fight.” Erasmus stated, as reported by Cricbuzz.
This situation is particularly challenging for Namibia, as they lack International-standard floodlights at home, which means many players have limited experience with nighttime matches, except for those in franchises like the ILT20 or the Nepal Premier League. Erasmus suggested this ‘lack of simulation’ puts teams from associate nations at a disadvantage against more established teams that are used to such conditions.
T20 World Cup 2026: India vs Namibia
The Group A match on February 12, 2026, features a strong Indian team aiming for their second consecutive win to maintain their top position. India comes into this match after a tough win against the USA, thanks to a notable performance from captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Nevertheless, India is facing their own challenges, with opening batter Abhishek Sharma uncertain to play after being hospitalized due to a stomach infection and viral fever. Although he has been released from the hospital, the team may choose not to risk him, especially with a crucial match against Pakistan approaching. This could open the door for Sanju Samson to take on the opening role.
On the flip side, Namibia is looking to bounce back from a recent seven-wicket loss against the Netherlands. To compete against the world champions, they will depend on the all-round skills of JJ Smit and the guidance of Erasmus. The Delhi pitch is known for being favorable for scoring, especially for teams chasing, due to the dew factor—something Namibia will need to navigate without having practiced at night. With Jasprit Bumrah likely back in the lineup after recovering from illness, Namibia’s batting lineup will face a tough challenge in front of a packed crowd in Delhi.
