New Delhi, Feb 11 (NationPress) Namibia's captain Gerhard Erasmus has voiced his concerns regarding the team's training schedule before their Men's T20 World Cup match against India on Thursday. He noted that they were unable to practice under floodlights at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Namibia faced a setback in their opening match, losing to the Netherlands by seven wickets in a morning match. Coach Craig Williams had anticipated an evening training session to prepare for the day-night clash against the defending champions, India.

However, Namibia was assigned an afternoon practice slot on Wednesday while India trained in the evening for both days leading to the match. In an interesting development, Canada, who will play against the UAE on Friday at 3 pm, trained alongside India under the lights.

“We haven’t had any night games or day-night matches in Namibia. The lack of infrastructure poses a significant challenge for us. Except for those who have played in the Nepal Premier League or ILT20, or have participated in a World Cup before, most players are not used to playing under lights,” Erasmus stated.

“We have not been granted a night training session before this match. India had two, and today, Canada has one before their game against the UAE. Interpret that as you wish… We will approach this match the Namibian way, which is to fight,” Erasmus expressed in the pre-match press conference.

He also encouraged his younger players to seize the moment and remain focused when they face India in front of an anticipated crowd of 40,000. Erasmus recognized the significance of the event while urging his team not to be intimidated by their illustrious opponents.

"This is a crucial moment for us. We are familiar with the players as we often see them on TV in the IPL and international cricket. Thus, we know what to expect. However, the exposure and size of this event will provide a valuable experience for our younger players, playing under the lights in front of a vibrant crowd," he remarked.

Erasmus outlined a straightforward strategy for his team to enhance their chances against the heavily favored co-hosts. "Stay focused. Play the ball as it comes and enjoy the moment. If we let the situation, the quality of the opposition, or the crowd overwhelm us, we may not enjoy the night," he advised.

“If we remain present and maintain a clear mind, our probabilities of success will increase. In past tournaments, associate teams have achieved remarkable successes, with some teams now feeling like they belong at this level,” he added.

He anticipates batting-friendly conditions at the compact venue, known for its high-scoring matches during the IPL. "This pitch is likely to favor batting. The ground is relatively small, making it conducive to boundary-scoring games," he elaborated.

“The Indian batters have consistently set high scores over the past year, applying pressure on bowlers. Thus, we must be prepared for that challenge. It’s a good pitch, recognized for high scores during the IPL and other matches," he explained.

Erasmus concluded by emphasizing Namibia's all-round capabilities, notably praising the contributions of left-arm pacer Ruben Trumpelmann and fast-bowling all-rounder JJ Smit.

"Our success often hinges on versatile players like Trumpelmann and Smit, who excel in multiple disciplines. Their contributions have significantly influenced our results, underscoring their importance to the team. It is vital for some senior players to step up during significant occasions like this," he concluded.