Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s instructions were firm from the outset: anyone positioned near the boundary ropes had to keep their eyes on the pitch. The intensity with which the ball was being struck during India’s first training session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium ahead of the Namibia match made safety a priority. Fielding coach T. Dilip initiated the evening’s drills, lofting powerful hits high into the floodlit sky as players began their catching practice.
The overall atmosphere within the squad was relaxed and upbeat. Despite a nervy start against the USA in their opening fixture, the players appeared eager to maintain a positive and energetic mood.
“Great shot, Dilip sir!” Hardik Pandya shouted with a grin, his voice carrying across the ground as he comfortably gathered towering catches.
Amid the laughter and camaraderie, however, Sanju Samson cut a noticeably different figure. While teammates trained with visible ease, Samson seemed immersed in a quieter, more intense focus.
Once the fielding exercises concluded, the top-order batters stepped into the nets: Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav. Abhishek Sharma was absent from the session, continuing his recovery from a stomach ailment suffered during the USA game. Sources indicated he had been hospitalised in Delhi.
Samson’s time in the nets alongside Ishan Kishan — the player who had taken his place in the XI — highlighted a striking contrast. Kishan’s strokeplay rang out confidently, his shots echoing into the empty stands as he consistently found the middle of the bat. Samson, by comparison, appeared less assured, struggling to settle against the pace of Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya, his usual fluency missing.
A shift to the spin nets offered Samson some comfort. Facing Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, he displayed better footwork and timing. Still, the broader impression lingered: Samson looked like a player acutely aware of the pressure surrounding his position, while others trained with the security of established roles.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged the challenge, emphasising the importance of clarity in selection decisions. He reiterated that Samson retained the team’s backing, noting that competition for places inevitably intensifies when replacements perform strongly. He also praised Samson’s professionalism and commitment in training.
After completing his scheduled practice, Samson did not immediately leave the field. Instead, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak engaged him in an extended, focused session of throwdowns near the boundary. Their quiet exchanges stood apart from the lively interactions elsewhere. The drill concluded with Kotak offering encouragement, reinforcing patience and persistence.
Even afterward, Samson remained on the ground, briefly standing alone and observing the ongoing training — a solitary presence amid the activity.
Whether changes will be made for Thursday’s game remains uncertain. With Abhishek Sharma’s fitness still under evaluation ahead of the crucial Pakistan encounter, team management may exercise caution. However, indications suggested that wicketkeeping responsibilities would continue with Kishan, who also completed light keeping drills.
Elsewhere in the session, Washington Sundar marked his return following a rib injury, bowling effectively before demonstrating his batting power. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube impressed with aggressive hitting displays, repeatedly clearing the ropes. Jasprit Bumrah, having recovered from illness, bowled at full intensity and is expected to feature against Namibia. Meanwhile, players such as Rinku Singh and Axar Patel concentrated on finishing skills, underlining the squad’s emphasis on lower-order contributions.
