T20 WC 2026: Bumrah and Sundar Fit, Abhishek Sharma Doubtful for Namibia

Ahead of the 18th match of the T20 World Cup 2026, the Indian cricket team has received a major boost regarding the fitness of its key players. Before the scheduled encounter against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Washington Sundar have been declared fit and have rejoined the squad. While their return strengthens the team's core, concerns have emerged regarding opener Abhishek Sharma, who is currently sidelined due to illness, making his participation in the next game uncertain.

Jasprit Bumrah's Return to High-Intensity Training

Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the previous match in Mumbai due to health issues, demonstrated his readiness during a rigorous practice session in Delhi. According to Assistant Coach Ryan ten Doeschate, Bumrah had not bowled for approximately 10 days but showed no signs of discomfort during the nets on February 10. After a brief warm-up and light running, the pacer bowled at full throttle to captain Suryakumar Yadav. Reports from the ground indicated that Bumrah managed to beat the captain with his signature pace and accuracy, even cleaning him up during the session, signaling a successful return to peak physical condition.

Washington Sundar Reintegrates into the Squad

All-rounder Washington Sundar, who was previously ruled out of the T20 series against New Zealand and the initial stages of the World Cup due to injury, has officially resumed training with the national side. Sundar joined the team in Delhi and participated in extensive fielding and bowling drills. The Assistant Coach confirmed that Sundar focused heavily on his fielding mechanics before bowling a lengthy spell to Tilak Varma in the nets, while his availability provides the team management with more flexibility in the spin department and adds depth to the lower-middle-order batting lineup.

Abhishek Sharma's Participation Remains Uncertain

Despite the positive news regarding Bumrah and Sundar, the Indian camp is monitoring the health of opener Abhishek Sharma. The young left-hander is currently suffering from an illness, which has put his selection for the Namibia match in jeopardy. Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the media, stating that there are still two days left before the match, and a final call will be made based on his recovery. If Sharma is unable to attend the final practice session on Wednesday, he's likely to be rested to ensure he's 100% fit for the crucial encounter against Pakistan scheduled for February 15.

Technical Analysis and Team Strategy

According to analysts, the return of Bumrah and Sundar allows India to field a more balanced side against Namibia. The team management appears to be focusing on rotating players to maintain peak fitness levels for the latter stages of the tournament. The absence of Abhishek Sharma might necessitate a temporary shuffle in the opening combination, but the primary objective remains securing a win while managing the workload of senior players. The insights provided by the coaching staff suggest a cautious yet optimistic approach toward player rehabilitation and match readiness.

To sum it all up, the Indian team heads into the Namibia fixture with a strengthened bowling attack and improved tactical options. While the return of Bumrah and Sundar is a significant positive, the final composition of the playing XI will depend on Abhishek Sharma's recovery over the next 24 hours. The team remains focused on maintaining their momentum in the T20 World Cup 2026 as they prepare for the upcoming challenges in the group stage.