New Delhi: India captain Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed that opener Abhishek Sharma will miss at least “a game or two” in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 after falling ill with a stomach-related infection. The update came ahead of India’s Group A fixture against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, February 12.
Abhishek, currently ranked the world No. 1 T20I batter, was unavailable for selection for the Namibia match, prompting a change at the top of the batting order. Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been drafted into the playing XI as his replacement and is set to open alongside Ishan Kishan.
Speaking at the toss, Suryakumar Yadav said the team is monitoring Abhishek’s recovery but could not confirm an exact return date.
“Abhishek is still not fine. He will miss a game or two. I don’t really know,” Suryakumar said briefly when asked about the opener’s status.
Hospitalised in Delhi with stomach infection
Team sources indicated that Abhishek Sharma was hospitalised earlier this week after developing a stomach infection. He received treatment at a private hospital in the capital before being discharged on Wednesday.
Despite being released from hospital care, Abhishek did not attend India’s training sessions held on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Team management decided not to risk his inclusion for the Namibia fixture, prioritising full recovery ahead of the more demanding matches in the group stage.
All-rounder Tilak Varma, who addressed the media on the eve of the match, confirmed that Abhishek had been discharged but was still regaining strength.
Medical staff are continuing to assess his condition daily, and a call on his availability for upcoming fixtures is expected closer to match day.
Sanju Samson gets opening role
Selectors turned to Sanju Samson as the immediate replacement in the XI. Samson, known for his aggressive strokeplay at the top, now gets a significant opportunity to stake a claim in the tournament.
He is expected to partner Ishan Kishan at the top of the order, giving India a right-left combination. The move also adds flexibility to the batting unit, as Samson can switch roles depending on match situations.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, speaking on live broadcast, described the change as a major chance for Samson to cement his place.
“It’s a huge opportunity for Sanju Samson. He might have to get ready for the Pakistan game,” Gavaskar said, pointing to the high-profile fixture later in the group stage.
Team analysts believe Samson’s inclusion could slightly alter India’s powerplay approach, with a greater emphasis on early boundary-hitting.
Big setback given Abhishek’s recent form
Cricket observers note that Abhishek Sharma’s absence is significant given his recent performances in T20 internationals. He has been one of India’s most consistent and explosive batters in the format over the past year, which helped him rise to the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings.
His ability to attack both pace and spin in the powerplay overs has been central to India’s fast starts. He has also formed a productive opening partnership with Ishan Kishan in recent matches.
Losing a player of that profile, even temporarily, forces the team to adjust its batting plans and combinations.
However, team management expressed confidence in the bench strength and said the squad has enough depth to handle short-term absences.
India balancing workload and fitness
Team insiders said the support staff are being cautious with player fitness during the tournament, especially with multiple matches scheduled within a short span. Even minor illnesses are being treated conservatively to prevent complications later in the competition.
With at least one or two matches expected to be missed by Abhishek, India may continue with Samson at the top if the combination works well. A strong performance could also create healthy selection debates going forward.
At the same time, management is unlikely to rush Abhishek back until he is fully match-fit.
What lies ahead
Fixtures indicate that India still have key Group A matches coming up after the Namibia clash, including a high-voltage encounter against Pakistan. Abhishek’s availability for those matches will depend on how quickly he recovers over the next few days.
For now, the team has reshuffled the top order and will rely on Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan to provide momentum in the powerplay.
Conclusion
Sees India entering the Namibia match without their top-ranked T20I batter Abhishek Sharma due to illness, with captain Suryakumar Yadav confirming he will miss a game or two. Sanju Samson’s inclusion at the top offers a fresh opportunity, while the team focuses on ensuring Abhishek returns fully fit for the crucial matches ahead.
Comments are closed.