Namibia Playing XI vs India- T20 World Cup 2026, Match 18- JJ Smit the X factor?

Namibia Playing XI against India [Source: X]

Namibia is all set to face Namibia for their second match in the T20 World Cup 2026. The team will be up against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on February 12, and the match will be live for fans from 7:00 PM IST.

Namibia vs India Preview

Namibia faced a harrowing defeat in front of the Netherlands in their inaugural clash by 7 wickets. The team managed to put 156 runs but failed to defend it in front of a confident Netherlands batting lineup, who finished the chase within 18 overs.

With India being their next opponent, Namibia would like to weigh in a strong yet balanced Playing XI for the upcoming clash in the mega ICC event.

Namibia Playing XI vs India- Match 18, T20 World Cup 2026

Openers and Top Order: Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Gerhard Erasmus (c)

Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck will be continuing with their opening duties for the India match. Steenkamp wasn’t impressive with the bat against the Netherlands. However, his experience in the top order for the team will be reserved. 

Jan Frylinck played a 26-ball 30 against NED and will be expected to hammer some big shots in the upcoming clash too.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and skipper Gerhard Erasmus will continue with No. 3 and No. 4 slots. Nicol played a responsible 38-ball 42, anchoring the team’s collapse. Erasmus, too, though not super effective, struck at 200.00 and will be ready to mast the middle order.

Middle Order and All Rounders: Zane Green (wk), JJ Smit and Dylan Leicher

Zane Green might come a slot up in this match to maintain the middle order stability, while JJ Smit, who has an average of 51.09 at No. 6 in T20Is, will be more destructive in his comfortable zone. Smit can do some damage at this position, as he performed well against the Netherlands with a 15-ball 22 while striking at 146.67.

Following him should be Dylan Leicher, who can come in and stitch together a couple of runs in the death overs, as he averages 22.40 in the format while striking at 91.06.

Bowlers: Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Max Heingo

Namibia's bowling attack against the Netherlands has been subpar, with inexperienced resources on the bench; hence, at best, Namibia can rotate around Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, and Max Heingo.

While Bernard Scholtz will be leading the spin department with his left-arm orthodox bowling, Ruben will spearhead the pace attack with his left-arm bowling alongside Max Heingo and Willem Myburgh.

JJ Smit can also chip in with pace, while Gerhard Erasmus will offer right-arm off-breaks to support Scholtz. In the previous match, only Scholtz, Trumpelmann, and Nicol Loftie-Eaton managed to scalp one wicket each, however, they were quite expensive.

With a regrouped bowling attack, Namibia should look to deliver a more balanced performance against the Indian powerhouse batters.

Namibia likely Playing XI vs India- Match 18, T20 World Cup 2026- Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Max Heingo