T20 World Cup 2026: India Eye Big-Hitting Return in Delhi as Fitness Concerns Linger Ahead of Namibia Clash
Generally, February in Delhi is a lovely month, as the cold of winter begins to transition into the warm days of spring. This year, however, there have already been many complaints from residents about missing out on spring, with temperatures hitting the high 20s Celsius through the second week of February.
For example, there have been examples over the last decade or so of a major hailstorm occurring relatively late, which typically results in another spell of cold weather during the following week. Therefore, we can think of this period as representative of an “Indian Winter” (similar to the way the city of Delhi deals with an “Indian Summer”, a term used in the UK to describe an unusually long and hot spell of weather at this time of year).
As we approach the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi to see yet again a full stadium for the Twenty20 World Cup match between India and West Indies (and how no schools in the Delhi region are permitting students to attend free of charge due to the proximity of board examinations), the expectation from the fans will be to see a significant amount of sixes being scored by the Indian players, following India’s first match against Bermuda, where no sixes were hit. There has been some ridicule thrown towards the media in India regarding what to expect from 300, with the ground conditions not being as benign as they are in bilateral matches. However, with small boundaries and a history of high-scoring matches at this venue in the IPL in recent years, India will be looking to return to high-scoring ways following their unexpected victory over the USA on a thrilling Wankhede pitch.
Namibia will be looking to take a shot at the T20 World Cup by trying to beat India. India has had issues with fitness with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, and Washington Sundar. This could create an opportunity for Namibia to make a mark and stand out in the tournament by extending the length of the strongest-ever T20 World Cup team.
Against the USA in Mumbai’s strange conditions, it was Suryakumar Yadav’s blinder that saw India to a match-winning score until today. The wretched year 2025, when he had no half-centuries, is a thing of the past. He now has more match awards for India than anybody else in history, with 17, just surpassing Virat Kohli’s record of 16.
Namibia, an Associate member that opens the bowling with a spinner, will want to get similar performances out of Bernard Scholtz againstthe Netherlands. In defending a meagre 156, the left-armer removed Max O’Dowd, the Dutch opener, and went for only 27 runs from his 4 overs.
Washington has joined the Indian team. Other players on the side have had issues with their health. Bumrah was out for the first match due to illness. However, he seems to have gotten better as he was able to bowl without a problem in the practice nets on Tuesday. Abhishek has been nursing a stomach ailment while suffering from a fever in Mumbai, but by the time the team reached Delhi, he had been hospitalised. On Wednesday, Tilak Varma said that Abhishek has been discharged but that India will make the final determination regarding his availability for the match on that same day. India may wish to take some time to play with the players that are considered to be stars and try to give the remaining players on the team some playing time as well.
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