India’s preparations for their upcoming T20 World Cup clash against Namibia have been overshadowed by concern over the fitness of young opener Abhishek Sharma. The 21-year-old batter has been admitted to a private hospital in Delhi due to a gastrointestinal infection, casting doubt over his availability for Thursday’s match.
Reports from Indian media indicate that Sharma had already been feeling unwell prior to India’s opening game against the United States. Following that match, his condition deteriorated, leaving him feverish and requiring intravenous fluids. Medical tests are ongoing to determine the exact cause and severity of the infection.
Sharma’s illness has prevented him from joining the team’s practice sessions at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the situation during a press briefing on Tuesday, stating:
“Abhishek is still struggling with stomach-related issues. We hope he recovers fully within the next two days.”
During the match against the United States, Sharma received a ‘golden duck’ in the batting innings and did not take the field during India’s bowling innings, with Sanju Samson covering the fielding duties in his place. He was also absent from the post-match celebrations and handshakes, highlighting the seriousness of his condition.
Meanwhile, there has been a positive update for India’s squad. All-rounder Washington Sundar has joined the team and will participate in training sessions ahead of the Namibia game. In addition, pacer Jasprit Bumrah has resumed bowling after a ten-day break and has reported feeling stronger and more comfortable than before. The team’s coaching staff are optimistic that both Sundar and Bumrah will be match-fit, providing much-needed balance to the side.
For quick reference, the table below summarises the current fitness and availability status of key Indian players ahead of the Namibia encounter:
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | Hospitalised | Gastrointestinal infection; uncertain for Thursday |
| Sanju Samson | Fit | Covered fielding during US match |
| Washington Sundar | Joined squad | Training before Namibia match |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Training resumed | Bowling after 10-day break; feeling stronger |
| Other key players | Fully fit | No reported issues |
India’s team management remains hopeful that Sharma will make a swift recovery, but his participation in the match remains uncertain. The upcoming contest against Namibia could therefore see India adjusting their opening lineup depending on the young batter’s health.
With the T20 World Cup in full swing, any last-minute injury concerns add to the pressure on the Indian squad as they aim to maintain momentum after their opening fixture. Fans will be closely watching Sharma’s recovery over the next 48 hours to see if he can take to the field.