India’s preparations in Delhi, two days ahead of their league-stage clash against Namibia, offered a fairly clear indication of what Thursday’s XI could look like. One notable absence from the training session was Abhishek Sharma, who continues to recover from a stomach-related illness and did not take part in Tuesday evening’s nets.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that Abhishek is still not fully well, expressing hope that he might be available in time for the match. However, going by India’s usual approach—where they train at full intensity and in near-match order two days out—it appeared unlikely that the team would rush him back. With another session scheduled for Wednesday, the final call remains open, but the signs from Tuesday were telling.
Under lights, Ishan Kishan was the first batter to walk out, followed closely by Sanju Samson. The pair trained together in the pace nets, facing Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, and a tall left-arm net bowler who seemed to be simulating the angles Namibia’s Ruben Trumpelmann might offer. At the same time, Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav paired up in the spin nets, suggesting a potential top-four combination India could be leaning towards.
For Samson, the session came at a crucial time. The last few weeks have been turbulent, marked by a loss of his opening spot after India’s first World Cup match in Mumbai. His lack of runs, coupled with Kishan’s impressive form, has pushed him to the fringes, at least for now. Ten Doeschate emphasized that the team management has been transparent and supportive, but also realistic about selections at the highest level. With several matches still to play, he reiterated that every squad member remains important to India’s campaign.
Samson spent around half an hour facing the quicks. He started cautiously, with his familiar trigger movement once again affecting his timing. As the session progressed, he adjusted slightly, finding better balance and eventually striking with authority—driving Hardik over extra cover and confidently flicking Arshdeep through the leg side. His rhythm improved further when he moved to the spin nets, where he looked far more fluent, especially while stepping out to hit on both sides of the wicket. That confidence against spin could be valuable against Namibia, who often employ left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz early in the innings.
There was more positive news on the fitness front for Jasprit Bumrah. After a 10-day break from bowling, the pacer returned to the nets and bowled for about 25 minutes without discomfort. He operated against Suryakumar and Tilak and looked sharp, offering reassurance after missing the Mumbai game due to illness.
As the session went on, India continued rotating batters in a clear batting order. Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Hardik Pandya followed the top four, reinforcing the sense that this was more than just a light workout—it was a rehearsal. All signs point to India already having a strong idea of their combination, with only a few fitness-related decisions left before they face Namibia in Delhi.
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