Defending T20 World Cup champions India face a potential lineup headache ahead of their Thursday fixture against Namibia at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Dynamic opener Ishan Kishan took a blow to his toe from Jasprit Bumrah’s yorker during optional nets, sparking injury concerns.
Currently in scintillating touch—highlighted by his USA World Cup knock of 20 and prior New Zealand exploits—Kishan entered nets padded up. Bumrah’s early thunderbolt found his left foot, causing immediate distress. Support crew and bowling coach Morne Morkel sprang into action, removing his shoe to evaluate.
Limping barefoot, Kishan downplayed the hurt after a few agonizing minutes. He resumed batting with pads back on, facing tentative deliveries before exiting with staff support. Whether precautionary or to accommodate Sanju Samson isn’t confirmed.
Complicating matters, Abhishek Sharma’s recent hospital stay for a stomach infection ended with a Wednesday discharge, but full fitness is pending. Samson stands ready as backup. Following their February 7 triumph over USA by 29 runs, India targets Namibia, then Pakistan on February 15 and Netherlands on the 18th.
The incident underscores nets’ risks in high-pressure tournaments. Kishan’s resilience shone, but his status looms large for India’s explosive top order. Medical teams are monitoring closely, with optimism prevailing. As the World Cup heats up, can India navigate this bump without missing a beat?