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India Bring In Samson, Bumrah As Namibia Bowl First In T20 WC Clash

Defending champions India have made two changes, bringing in Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah for their T20 World Cup clash against Namibia, who won the toss and chose to bowl. Captain Suryakumar Yadav stated the team is comfortable defending a total, acknowledging dew will be a significant factor in the match. Namibia also made two changes to their lineup as both teams look to secure a crucial victory in Group A. The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium is reported to be flat with good carry, though boundary dimensions vary.

Key Points: India vs Namibia T20 WC: Samson, Bumrah Return

  • India bring in Samson and Bumrah
  • Namibia win toss and elect to bowl
  • Abhishek Sharma misses out due to illness
  • Dew expected to be a major factor
3 min read

T20 WC: Samson, Bumrah come in for India as Namibia elect to bowl first

India make two changes as Namibia elect to bowl. Get match updates, playing XIs, and captain Suryakumar Yadav's comments on the toss and conditions.

T20 WC: Samson, Bumrah come in for India as Namibia elect to bowl first
"As long as we are losing the toss and winning the game, we are fine with it. - Suryakumar Yadav"

New Delhi, Feb 12

India have brought in wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as Namibia won the toss and elected to bowl first in the Group A clash of the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday.

Defending champions India arrive on the back of surviving an almighty scare from the USA to open their title defence by 29 runs at the Wankhede Stadium last week. Namibia, meanwhile, come into the clash after losing to the Netherlands by seven wickets.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Samson and Bumrah, who missed the game against the USA due to illness, come in for Abhishek Sharma and Mohammed Siraj. Abhishek was admitted to a hospital in New Delhi due to a stomach infection and was discharged on the eve of the match.

"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. It's a big tournament, and this dew is going to be a big factor.

"But when you bat first and go out and defend, I think it gives you a lot of confidence. It's a very good wicket. Hopefully, batters go out and enjoy themselves. Abhishek is still not fine; he will miss a game or two. Sanju comes in, similar batter, explosive," he said.

Namibia have also made two changes - Malan Kruger and Ben Shikongo come in place of Dylan Leicher and William Myburgh. "It is a very good flat cricketing surface, from a surface and dew point of view, it is the right thing to do. It is about tightening our skillset. Looks like a good wicket, try and chase it in the second half. That's why we play cricket, to entertain," he said.

In their pitch report, Ian Smith and Nick Knight said pitch number six in the stadium is expected to play flat under lights with even bounce and good carry, though dew could be a factor. Boundaries vary from 59 to 73 metres, though there's a longer boundary to the off side of the right-handed batter from the Willingdon end.

Playing XIs:

India: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah

Namibia: Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (captain), JJ Smit, Zane Green, Ruben Trumpelmann, Malan Kruger, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, and Max Heingo



- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see Samson in the XI. He's been waiting for his turn. But honestly, I'm more worried about Abhishek Sharma's health. Stomach infection sounds serious, get well soon!
R
Rohit P
Batting first on a flat track with dew later? That's a real test for our bowlers. Bumrah and Arshdeep will have to be on point in the death overs. Let's go, Team India!
S
Sarah B
Watching from the US! The last match was too close for comfort. Hope the team has settled their nerves. The batting lineup looks explosive on paper, time to deliver.
V
Vikram M
Respect to Namibia for their spirit, but this should be a straightforward win for India. We need a big victory to boost the net run rate early in the tournament. No more scares, please!
K
Karthik V
SKY's comment about being fine with losing the toss as long as we win the game shows good mindset. But I hope the team management is seriously working on plans for when we *have* to defend with a wet ball. That's been a weakness for years.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh both in the middle order. That's a lot of firepower. Hope they get enough balls to face. Should

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