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In a significant pre-match stir at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 11, 2026, Namibia‘s captain has voiced strong concerns over the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduling equity against India. As the ‘Eagles’ prepare to face the defending champions on their home turf, the dialogue has shifted from tactical matchups to the fairness of preparation facilities provided by the ICC. This tension comes at a critical juncture for Namibia, who are desperately seeking a win to keep their Super 8 ambitions alive following an opening-round loss.
Gerhard Erasmus questions ‘unfair’ training schedule in Delhi ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 game vs India
Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus has publicly questioned the ICC regarding the lack of night training sessions allotted to his team ahead of their high-profile clash against India. Speaking to reporters on the eve of the match, Erasmus revealed a stark disparity in the practice slots provided to the two teams at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. While India were granted two separate training sessions under the floodlights, Namibia were relegated to the 2 PM-5 PM afternoon slots, leaving them without any opportunity to acclimate to the night-time conditions they will face during the 7 PM kickoff.
“We haven’t been given a night training session before this game, I’m not sure why. I believe India has had two night sessions and I see outside that Canada will have a night training now. You can make of that what you want, but we’ll just rock up and do it the Namibian way, which is to fight.” Erasmus was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
This issue is particularly acute for Namibia due to their domestic infrastructure; Erasmus pointed out that they do not have international-standard floodlights back home, meaning most of his squad has limited experience playing under lights outside of franchise leagues like the ILT20 or the Nepal Premier League. The captain hinted that such a ‘lack of simulation’ puts associate nations at a disadvantage when facing top-tier teams who are intimately familiar with these conditions.
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T20 World Cup 2026: India vs Namibia
The Group A clash on February 12, 2026, sees a dominant Indian side looking to secure their second consecutive win and solidify their position at the top of the table. India enters the game following a hard-fought victory over the USA, where captain Suryakumar Yadav played a match-winning hand.
However, the Indian camp is currently dealing with its own set of challenges; opening batter Abhishek Sharma is a doubtful starter after being hospitalized with a stomach infection and viral fever. While he has been discharged, the team management is unlikely to risk him with the high-stakes Pakistan match looming on Sunday, potentially handing Sanju Samson a chance to open the innings.
On the other hand, Namibia are coming off a disappointing seven-wicket defeat to the Netherlands. To stand any chance against the world champions, they will rely heavily on the all-round capabilities of JJ Smit and the veteran leadership of Erasmus. The Delhi pitch, known for being a “belter” with short boundaries, traditionally favors the chasing side due to the dew factor, a variable that Namibia will now have to navigate without the benefit of a single night-time rehearsal. With Jasprit Bumrah expected to return to the lineup after recovering from a fever, Namibia’s batting order faces a trial by fire in front of a sold-out Delhi crowd.
Also READ: Irfan Pathan suggests a change in India’s bowling attack for Namibia clash at T20 World Cup 2026
