Namibia captain slams lack of night training, says ‘India get 2 sessions’: 'We'll just rock up'

Erasmus voiced his frustration over the lack of preparation time under lights ahead of the India clash, hinting at an uneven build-up compared to other teams.

Published on: Feb 11, 2026, 21:53:04 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus revealed that his side did not get the opportunity to train under lights ahead of their T20 World Cup clash against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Without naming anyone directly, Erasmus hinted at a sense of imbalance, noting that India had the benefit of two night training sessions while his team had none. He also pointed out that Namibia come from a setup where access to floodlit facilities is already limited back home, making such preparation even more important for them in big tournaments.

Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus expressed anger over no night practice ahead of the India match. (PTI)

Namibia went down to the Netherlands in their opening match and head into the India clash as clear underdogs with only a faint chance on paper. The captain’s revelation that they did not receive a single night of training has only added to their challenges ahead of facing the defending champions.

Erasmus voiced his frustration over the lack of preparation time under lights ahead of the India clash, hinting at an uneven build-up compared to other teams. Speaking on the eve of the match, the Namibia skipper said his side would not dwell on the issue and would instead focus on competing with their usual fighting spirit despite the setback.

"Yeah, we haven't been given a night training [session] before this game, I don't know why. I think India has two night training [sessions] and I see outside that Canada will have a night training now, so make of that what you want, but we'll just rock up and do our Namibian way, which is to fight," Erasmus said on the eve of the game.

Also Read - Team India on edge after Ishan Kishan takes painful blow from Jasprit Bumrah in nets ahead of Namibia clash

“We haven't got any floodlights in Namibia”: Erasmus

Erasmus also spoke about the broader challenges Namibia face when it comes to adapting to day-night fixtures, pointing out the limited exposure his players have to training under lights back home. He highlighted how infrastructure constraints make such conditions unfamiliar for many in the squad, adding that only those with experience in overseas leagues or major tournaments are somewhat accustomed to playing regularly under floodlights.

"We haven't got any [flood]lights in Namibia... the day/night games," Erasmus said. "Infrastructure wise it's probably the challenge for us, so yeah it's not a casual thing for guys that don't have [experience]... I think barring the guys who played in the Nepal Premier League and the ILT20 and the World Cups that we've played, you don't really get accustomed to lights and training under it very often."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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