Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has revealed his preferred playing XI for India’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Namibia, scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday, February 12. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif suggested Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan as the opening pair. His selection comes amid uncertainty surrounding Abhishek Sharma, who was recently hospitalised due to a stomach illness. Although Abhishek has since been discharged, he is unlikely to feature in the upcoming fixture, potentially paving the way for Samson to slot into the side.

Kaif retained India’s established middle order, backing captain Suryakumar Yadav alongside Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh. He opted for Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya as the seam-bowling all-round options. In the spin department, Kaif included both Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, favouring a twin-spin strategy. Jasprit Bumrah, set to return after missing the USA match, was picked as the lead pacer alongside Hardik, resulting in Arshdeep Singh’s omission. With Bumrah’s comeback expected, Mohammed Siraj is also likely to make way in the revised combination.

Mohammad Kaif's India Playing 11 against Namibia - Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.

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I think you must give Kuldeep game time: Mohammad Kaif

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh impressed in India’s opener against the USA, finishing with tidy figures of 2/18 in his four overs. Despite that performance, Mohammad Kaif left him out of his XI for the Namibia clash, opting instead to include wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Kaif reasoned that Kuldeep requires valuable match time ahead of India’s high-profile encounter against Pakistan in Colombo. With the R Premadasa Stadium traditionally aiding spin, Kaif feels India must prepare their key slow bowlers accordingly. Kuldeep also boasts an excellent record against Pakistan, claiming eight wickets in three T20Is at a remarkable average of 9.87.

"I think you must give Kuldeep game time. If India want to win the World Cup, leg-spinners pick wickets, and Kuldeep is proven. Before the game against Pakistan, give Kuldeep game time. You have batting till eight anyway. In Premadasa you will have to back spinners and you want him to play against Pakistan," former India batter said.