Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: India opted to rest flamboyant opener Abhishek Sharma for their second T20 World Cup 2026 match against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.Abhishek was discharged after spending two days in hospital with a stomach infection, which had left him doubtful for the game. However, the uncertainty around his availability became evident when captain Suryakumar Yadav walked out for the toss.
“We were looking to bat first. Very happy with it. As long as we are losing the toss and winning the game, we are fine with it. Dew is going to be a big factor, but when you go out and defend totals, it gives you confidence,” Suryakumar said during the toss.“Abhishek is still not fine, he will miss a game or two. Sanju comes in, similar batter, explosive. Bumrah comes in for Siraj,” he said.Abhishek was dismissed for a duck in India’s opening match against the USA in Mumbai on Saturday and did not take any further part in the game, with Sanju Samson replacing him in the field.The left-hander had been unwell during that match, and his condition worsened after the team arrived in Delhi.Teams:India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit BumrahNamibia (Playing XI): Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus(c), JJ Smit, Zane Green(w), Ruben Trumpelmann, Malan Kruger, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Max Heingo
