India National Cricket Team vs Namibia National Cricket Team Match: India opener Abhishek Sharma was not included in the playing XI for the team’s second Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against Namibia on Thursday due to a stomach infection.

The left-handed batter has been unwell since the eve of India’s opening game against the United States in Mumbai. He was hospitalised for two days with a stomach bug and has not trained with the squad since.

Abhishek was dismissed for a golden duck in the match against the USA and did not take further part in the game. Sanju Samson replaced him on the field during that contest.

Samson has now come into the side at the top of the order for the Namibia match. It marks his first appearance across the last two T20 World Cups. He was seen batting in the nets ahead of Thursday’s game and spent time in discussion with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.

The team management has not given a timeline for Abhishek’s return.

India vs Namibia Playing XIs 

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, Zane Green(w), Ruben Trumpelmann, Malan Kruger, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Max Heingo