T20 World Cup 2026: Namibia Captain Questions Training Schedule Ahead of India Clash

New Delhi

Ahead of their T20 World Cup 2026 encounter against India, Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus has raised concerns over his team’s training schedule, stating that they were not given an opportunity to practice under floodlights at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

India and Namibia are set to face off in the 18th match of the tournament on Thursday in New Delhi. However, Erasmus expressed disappointment that his side did not receive a night training session despite the match being a day-night fixture.

Namibia suffered a seven-wicket defeat against the Netherlands in a morning game on Tuesday. Following that loss, head coach Craig Williams had indicated plans for an evening training session to help the team prepare for the defending champions India under lights.

Instead, Namibia were allotted an afternoon practice slot on Wednesday. In contrast, India reportedly trained in the evening on both days leading up to the match. Canada, who will play the UAE at 3 PM on Friday, also had an opportunity to train under lights alongside India.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Erasmus said, “In Namibia, we don’t have night matches or day-night games. From an infrastructure perspective, that’s probably one of our biggest challenges. Except for players who have featured in leagues like the Nepal Premier League, ILT20, or previous World Cups, most of our squad are not used to playing under lights. We haven’t been given a night training session before this match. India had two opportunities, and Canada also had one. You can make of that what you will… We will just play the Namibian way, which is to fight.”

Despite the concerns, Erasmus urged his young players to embrace the occasion and make the most of the opportunity to play in front of a large crowd. He acknowledged the magnitude of the event, noting that facing India in front of 40,000 spectators under lights would be a valuable experience for the team.

“I think it’s a big moment. We are not unfamiliar with the players—we watch them regularly in the IPL and international cricket. You know who you’re up against. But in terms of exposure and the size of the event, playing under lights in front of 40,000 passionate fans will be a great experience for our young players,” he added.

The remarks have added a fresh dimension to the build-up ahead of the much-anticipated clash between India and Namibia.

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