India look to restore batting normalcy after Mumbai hiccup

In the lead-up to their match against Namibia, India's top-order batters have been focused on rediscovering their aggressive hitting form in the nets. Their performances against USA and in Mumbai had shown unexpected restraint, suggesting their powerful T20 batting could be contained in bowler-friendly conditions.

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged a potential need for strategic revision, but the emphasis in practice has been on regaining six-hitting rhythm. Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson, the latter likely to feature against Namibia, were notably striking the ball powerfully during sessions.

Namibia, meanwhile, face a significant challenge. Captain Gerhard Erasmus's primary concern is ensuring his players are not overawed by facing the reigning champions. He emphasized staying in the moment and enjoying the occasion. Namibia also lack experience playing under lights, having not trained under them before the match, but Erasmus stated his team will "rock up and do it the Namibian way, which is to fight."

Match Details:

• When: India vs Namibia, 18th Match, Group A, February 12, 7 PM IST
• Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
• What to expect: After several venues have favored bowlers, Delhi's small boundaries could provide an opportunity for a high-scoring game.

Team News & Probable XIs:

India:

• Abhishek Sharma has been discharged from hospital but is unlikely to be rushed back.
• Sanju Samson had extensive batting practice and is likely to open with Ishan Kishan.
• Jasprit Bumrah, bowling at full intensity, is expected to reclaim his spot from Mohammed Siraj.

India Probable XI: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh

Namibia:

• The team is expected to field the same XI that played against the Netherlands.

Namibia Probable XI: Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Max Heingo

Key Stats:

• Since the 2024 T20 World Cup, Varun Chakaravarthy has taken 58 wickets in 31 matches—the most in T20Is in that period.
• Jasprit Bumrah is one of only six bowlers with 100+ wickets in all three men's international formats.
• Namibia have a PowerPlay economy rate of 6.91 since the last T20 World Cup, one of only two teams (with Nepal) below 7.00.
• Gerhard Erasmus is Namibia's most-capped T20I player (78 matches) and leading run-scorer (1851).

Quotes:

Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus on the occasion:
"We're no stranger to the players… But in terms of the size of the event… playing under lights in front of 40,000 noisy fans, it's going to be really cool."

India's Tilak Varma on his mental preparation:
"Every night before I sleep I visualise that I am playing the World Cup final, that I am playing the big matches and I put myself under pressure… my mind is always in that zone [of playing]."