India’s hard-hitting opener Abhishek Sharma has been hospitalised ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Namibia in Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 12. Abhishek suffered a stomach infection and he is doubtful for co-hosts’ second group stage match.
In India's T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the USA, he was dismissed for a golden duck. He did not field and Sanju Samson came on as substitute.
Abhishek was not present at India's first training session in Delhi on February 10 as well. India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate is unclear about Abhishek’s participation in the next fixture as well.
“Abhi (Abhishek) still has a few issues with his tummy. We are hopeful that he’ll be available for the game in two days’ time,” the former Dutch cricketer told the reporters.
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If Abhishek does not recover in time for Namibia clash, Samson seems to be the automatic choice. Samson has not been in the best of form of late. In the five-T20I series against New Zealand, he registered scores of 10, 6, 0, 24 and 6.
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Update on Bumrah
Ten Doeschate is hopeful of Jasprit Bumrah regaining full fitness. Bumrah was unwell for the campaign opener and was replaced by Mohammed Siraj who claimed three wickets.
“Booms (Bumrah) will bowl today as well. He's been what, ten days without bowling, but he's feeling a lot better and moving a lot better. So we'll see how training goes today and tomorrow and then put the team together on Friday," Ten Doeschate said.
Sundar to be on bench or in playing XI?
Meanwhile, Washington Sundar has joined the squad but it is yet to be seen whether he walks into the squad or not. Ten Doeschate hinted that Sundar may come in handy in spin-friendly conditions.
"He does fit into one of our combinations where we can play three spinners," he said. "The luxury of having four allrounders in the squad is that you can change the combination. So there's combinations where he fits into three or the combination where he replaces one of the spinners. And again, I think more around what we have available for this next game is going to be important."