India vs Namibia, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Sanju Samson couldn't make it count on the opportunity he got during the India vs Namibia match in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday, February. He replaced Abhishek Sharma in India's lineup and came out to open the innings with Ishan Kishan after Namibia opted to bowl first.

Making his first T20 World Cup match appearance, Samson looked in a different touch altogether and provided an incredible start to the Men in Blue. He displayed his intent in the very first over, hitting the six on the final delivery off Ruben Trumpelmann. He then took on Ben Shikongo, smashing him for a couple of sixes and a four in just the second over of the innings.

The senior batter went on to play a fiery cameo of 22 runs in just eight balls, but was dismissed on the final delivery of the second over by Shikongo. His effort against Namibia was completely different from how things have gone for him lately. Samson has going through a disappointing form, and a consistent run of low scores during the five-match series against New Zealand forced his exclusion from the starting XI in the T20 World Cup 2026.

He sat out for the first game against the USA. However, even Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan couldn't do much in the first game. There were mixed reactions from the fans after Samson's dismissal, with some mentioning that this was probably the last and the only chance for him in the tournament. India headed into the match on the back of an impressive 29-run victory in their first match against the USA.

"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. Bumrah comes in for Siraj," Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said at the toss.


India vs Namibia Playing XIs, ICC T20 World Cup 2026:

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 Bumrah

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