India cancel practice session in Delhi ahead of T20 World Cup match against Namibia
Aditi Madhukar | Feb 09, 2026, 18:42 IST
Ahead of their second group match against Namibia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Indian cricket team opted to cancel an optional practice session in Delhi. The decision comes as a planned rest day with training scheduled later, following their first‑game win over the USA.
The Indian men’s cricket team has opted to cancel an optional practice session in Delhi on Monday, February 9, as it prepares for its second group match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against Namibia. The session was originally scheduled at the Arun Jaitley Stadium ahead of India’s February 12 fixture, but team management announced a “day off” instead, giving players a break between matches.
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not explicitly outline all reasons for the change in plans, one practical factor appears to be the ground’s availability. The venue is expected to host practice sessions for both Namibia and the Netherlands on February 10, ahead of their own Group A match. Namibia is slated for a morning training slot, with Netherlands in the evening, suggesting scheduling constraints could have influenced India’s decision.
In an official communication later on Monday evening, the BCCI confirmed that the team would not be training or holding a press conference at the stadium that day. Instead, the squad is scheduled to practice at the same venue from 6 pm to 9 pm on Tuesday, ahead of the match against Namibia.
The defending champions entered the tournament with a hard‑fought 29‑run victory over the United States in their opening group game in Mumbai. India’s top order struggled early, but captain Suryakumar Yadav played a key role with a composed and impactful unbeaten innings, eventually helping India post a competitive total. India’s bowlers then restricted the USA during the chase, securing the win.
The decision to cancel Monday’s optional session reflects a broader trend in international cricket to manage player workload thoughtfully, especially in fast‑paced formats like T20 internationals. With tight tournament schedules and travel demands, teams often balance training intensity with adequate recovery time to maintain peak performance and reduce injury risk.
Namibia, meanwhile, continues its preparations at the same venue, focusing on acclimating to conditions ahead of its matches in the group stage. The co‑host nation’s preparation and strategy will be closely watched as the tournament progresses, setting the stage for the upcoming clash with India.
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not explicitly outline all reasons for the change in plans, one practical factor appears to be the ground’s availability. The venue is expected to host practice sessions for both Namibia and the Netherlands on February 10, ahead of their own Group A match. Namibia is slated for a morning training slot, with Netherlands in the evening, suggesting scheduling constraints could have influenced India’s decision.
In an official communication later on Monday evening, the BCCI confirmed that the team would not be training or holding a press conference at the stadium that day. Instead, the squad is scheduled to practice at the same venue from 6 pm to 9 pm on Tuesday, ahead of the match against Namibia.
The defending champions entered the tournament with a hard‑fought 29‑run victory over the United States in their opening group game in Mumbai. India’s top order struggled early, but captain Suryakumar Yadav played a key role with a composed and impactful unbeaten innings, eventually helping India post a competitive total. India’s bowlers then restricted the USA during the chase, securing the win.
The decision to cancel Monday’s optional session reflects a broader trend in international cricket to manage player workload thoughtfully, especially in fast‑paced formats like T20 internationals. With tight tournament schedules and travel demands, teams often balance training intensity with adequate recovery time to maintain peak performance and reduce injury risk.
Namibia, meanwhile, continues its preparations at the same venue, focusing on acclimating to conditions ahead of its matches in the group stage. The co‑host nation’s preparation and strategy will be closely watched as the tournament progresses, setting the stage for the upcoming clash with India.
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