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Following a commanding victory in their tournament opener against the USA, defending champions India are set to continue their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a Group A fixture against Namibia on Thursday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Also Read: Australia opt to bat, Ireland plot upset in high-stakes clash

India enters this contest brimming with confidence. The Men in Blue, led by Suryakumar Yadav, showcased their dominance in the first match, reaffirming their status as the team to beat on home soil. With a potent mix of explosive power-hitters and a lethal bowling attack, the hosts will be looking to seal their spot in the Super 8s with another clinical performance.

On the other hand, Namibia faces a stern test after a tough outing against the Netherlands in their previous game. The ‘Eagles’, led by the experienced Gerhard Erasmus, have a history of punching above their weight in ICC tournaments but will need to produce something extraordinary to challenge the heavyweights in their own backyard. Namibia will be eager to correct its mistakes and put up a spirited fight against the world’s top-ranked T20I side.

While India are the overwhelming favourites, the unpredictability of T20 cricket gives Namibia a glimmer of hope to create what would be one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

India vs Namibia, Match Details

Date: February 12, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM IST

Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi

Key players to watch (India)

Suryakumar Yadav: The Indian skipper is a nightmare for bowlers in these conditions. His ability to manipulate the field and score 360 degrees makes him the most dangerous batter in this lineup (as was evident against the USA), especially on the batting-friendly Delhi surface.

Abhishek Sharma: The young opener has been a revelation with his fearless approach. After a poor start in the opener, he will be hungry to make a big score and take the game away from Namibia in the power play.

Varun Chakravarthy: The mystery spinner has reinvented himself and is currently one of India's most effective weapons. His variations could prove too difficult for the Namibian batters to pick, particularly under lights.

Key players to watch (Namibia)

Gerhard Erasmus: The inspirational captain is the backbone of Namibia's batting. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed will be vital if Namibia are to post or chase a competitive total.

JJ Smit: A dynamic all-rounder, Smit can clear the ropes with ease and is a handy bowling option. His experience and aggression will be key for Namibia in the middle overs.

Ruben Trumpelmann: The left-arm pacer has a knack for picking up early wickets. If Namibia hopes to restrict India, Trumpelmann will need to strike early with the new ball against the Indian openers.

Predicted Playing XIs

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

Namibia: Gerhard Erasmus (c), Malan Kruger, JC Balt, Jan Frylinck, JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Jack Brassell

Pitch Report

The Arun Jaitley Stadium is known for its short boundaries and generally flat decks, often resulting in high-scoring encounters. However, the pitch can slow down as the game progresses, bringing spinners into play. The team winning the toss is likely to bowl first to avoid the dew factor later in the evening.

Weather Forecast

The weather in New Delhi is expected to be cool and clear, with temperatures hovering around 18-20°C during match hours. There are no chances of rain, but heavy dew is expected in the second innings, which could make gripping the ball challenging for the bowlers.

Live Streaming Details

The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Fans can also stream the game live on the JioHotstar app and website.