New Delhi buzzes with anticipation as India gears up for a crucial T20 World Cup showdown against Namibia at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday. But the defending champions have hit a snag: explosive opener Ishan Kishan suffered a painful toe injury during an optional practice session.
Kishan, riding high on recent form, was struck by a blistering yorker from teammate Jasprit Bumrah right on his left toe. The incident unfolded early in his nets session, forcing him to limp in agony as support staff rushed to his aid. They promptly removed his pad and shoe, revealing the damage, while bowling coach Morne Morkel joined the physio in assessing the blow.
Despite the initial scare, Kishan showed grit. Barefoot and hobbling, he signaled the injury wasn’t as dire as feared. Within minutes, he strapped his gear back on, faced a few balls with visible discomfort, then retreated to the dressing room with a staff member. It’s unclear if he left early out of caution or to give teammate Sanju Samson more time at the crease.
Kishan’s recent exploits make this setback sting. He dazzled in the T20 series against New Zealand before smashing 20 runs against USA in the World Cup opener, which India won by 29 runs on February 7. Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma, recovering from a stomach infection that landed him in hospital, was discharged Wednesday. If Abhishek isn’t fit, Samson could step up against Namibia.
India’s campaign rolls on with Pakistan looming on February 15 and Netherlands on the 18th. Fans will be watching Kishan’s recovery closely—can the young gun bounce back in time to fire against Namibia? The team remains optimistic, but this injury adds an edge of uncertainty to their title defense.