T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kishan injured ahead of the IND vs NAM match?
Team India is set to face Namibia on February 12 in their second group-stage match at the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. However, just a day before the match, the Indian team suffered a major setback. India's star wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan was injured during the practice session. While facing Jasprit Bumrah, a yorker hit him directly on the toe of his left foot, after which Kishan appeared to be in trouble. He immediately left in pain and lay on his back under the close observation of the team physician. However, he was back in the nets after 10-15 minutes and started batting again.
The Indian team is already grappling with Abhishek Sharma's poor health and fever. He is likely to miss out on the India vs. Namibia match. Middle-order batsman Tilak Verma said on Abhishek Sharma's health update that Abhishek has been discharged from the hospital and that the team management will decide, after assessing his health, whether he will play against Namibia. Sanju Samson will open against Namibia instead of Abhishek Sharma.
“Abhishek Sharma was discharged from the hospital after suffering a bout of stomach infection. When we reached Delhi, he went to the hospital for an examination. He has been discharged today and is doing well,” Varma said.
Abhishek Sharma is almost certain to miss the Namibia match, and if Ishan Kishan also does not play the next cricket match against Namibia, then Team India will have to find an opening pair. Sanju Samson is certain to play the match, but if Ishan Kishan does not play, then it is possible that Washington Sundar can open with him.
Former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth also suggests the management should consider Washington Sundar as an opener due to Sanju Samson’s poor form. There is no regular 4th opener in the team right now; hence, Indian fans are praying for the early recovery of Abhishek Sharma.
The Indian team will enter with a couple of more changes. Jasprit Bumrah missed the opening match against the USA, and he might feature against Namibia ahead of the big match against Pakistan on February 15. He was looking in good rhythm during the net sessions. He might replace Mohammed Siraj in the India playing XI, who took 3 wickets against the USA. Apart from these changes, the rest of the team will be the same.
India squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Suryakumar Yadav ©, Axar Patel (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar
