Abhishek Sharma hospitalised, all but ruled out of India vs Namibia T20 World Cup clash: ‘Tests being conducted’

Abhishek Sharma had been unwell even before India’s tournament opener against the USA last Sunday

Updated on: Feb 12, 2026, 12:46:24 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Doubts have emerged over opener Abhishek Sharma’s availability for India’s second match of the 2026 T20 World Cup against Namibia in New Delhi on February 12 after he missed the team’s first training session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday. A PTI report revealed that the batter has been hospitalised due to a stomach infection for the last two days.

Doubts have emerged over Abhishek Sharma’s availability for India’s second match of the 2026 T20 World Cup (PTI)

"Abhishek has been admitted to a private hospital in Delhi due to stomach infection. Some tests are being done to ascertain the problem. It is still not clear whether he will be discharged today. But match against Namibia looks doubtful as of now," a BCCI source said.

Abhishek had been unwell even before India’s tournament opener against the USA last Sunday, with his condition worsening after he took the field. The left-hander was dismissed for a duck and did not return for the second innings, with Sanju Samson replacing him as the substitute fielder. He also skipped the post-match handshakes.

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According to Times of India, Abhishek ran a high temperature during the match at Wankhede Stadium and was administered drips for immediate relief. While the Indian camp initially described the issue as a stomach upset, the report suggested that the infection has significantly dented his chances of featuring in India’s next game.

“Abhi still has a few issues with his tummy. We’re hopeful he’ll be available for the game in two days’ time,” assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said during a media interaction on Tuesday.

Despite being unwell, Abhishek travelled with the squad to Delhi, but his condition reportedly worsened over the last 24 hours. He was also seen at head coach Gautam Gambhir’s residence on February 8, when the team gathered for a special dinner ahead of the Namibia fixture, though his recovery remained uncertain.

In Abhishek’s absence at training on Tuesday, Samson was the first batter to take the nets. The wicketkeeper-batter, who struggled for form during the recent home series against New Zealand and slipped behind Ishan Kishan in the pecking order, looked scratchy against Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya. Samson also received treatment on his left arm during the session.

“We’re waiting on Abhi’s fitness more than anything, and that will open up a few different combinations,” ten Doeschate added.

A clearer picture on Abhishek’s availability is expected after India’s final training session in Delhi on Wednesday.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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