Namibia are set to face their first massive test in T20 World Cup 2026 when they take on defending champions India in Delhi on Thursday (February 12). The African nation started their tournament with a seven-wicket defeat to Netherlands and will have their task cut out against the World Cup co-hosts.
Captain Gerhard Erasmus is understandably disappointed with the Netherlands fixture but currently, it's something else that has hurt his feelings. It's about the practice facilities or the lack of them for Namibia in the build up to their India clash on Thursday. Namibia allegedly haven't been allotted any night training window to practice under the lights.
For those unaware, teams generally practice specifically during late evening to prepare for a night game in T20 cricket. This is because the human eye needs to get accustomed to the artificial light and this plays a crucial role especially while taking catches. Associate nations generally play less day-night or night games, and Erasmus is clearly not a happy man.
"We haven't been given night training before this game, I don't know why.
"I think India had two nights of training, and I see outside, Canada also have night training. Make of that what you want, but we'll just rock up and do our Namibia way, which is to fight."
Namibia will have to bowl extremely well on what could be a belter of a batting surface in Delhi. The batting could face challenges for sure, especially against India's spinners and Jasprit Bumrah but the bowling is what needs to be on its toes. Regardless of the result, it is unfair that all teams don't get the same practice facilities in a World Cup.
