The Indian team have won both their opening games in the T20 World Cup 2026, beating the USA and Namibia to top Group A, and now need just another win to confirm their place in the Super Eight stage of the tournament. However, much of the early discussion surrounding the marquee game against Pakistan on Sunday in Colombo centres on the availability of opener Abhishek Sharma.
Abhishek Sharma did not play the Namibia game in T20 World Cup 2026 (AFP)
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The left-handed batter missed India's second game in the World Cup as he continued his recovery from a stomach infection. Earlier this week, reports emerged that Abhishek had been unwell and was running a high fever during the tournament opener against the USA in Mumbai, where he neither took the field in the second innings nor stepped out for the post-match handshakes.
His condition worsened after the team reached Delhi, and he was admitted to a private hospital in the capital. He was discharged on Wednesday, but India did not rush him back into the playing XI immediately. Abhishek was, however, present in the dressing room during the match against Namibia, a sight that revived hopes of his return for the marquee clash against Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium this weekend.
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However, captain Suryakumar Yadav all but confirmed that Abhishek might take a little longer to recover and could be a doubtful starter for the Pakistan game.
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However, captain Suryakumar Yadav all but confirmed that Abhishek might take a little longer to recover and could be a doubtful starter for the Pakistan game.
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"Abhishek isn't fine still, might take one or two games," he said at the toss on Thursday.
Earlier that same evening, news agency PTI reported that Abhishek did not train on Thursday as he was still feeling weak. The stomach infection had taken a toll on his body, reportedly leading to some weight loss, and in severe cases, recovery can take time, especially when it comes to regaining strength and endurance required for top-flight cricket.
In his stead, Sanju Samson opened the batting alongside Ishan Kishan.
However, after the match, teammate Varun Chakravarthy offered a contrasting update, reigniting hopes that Abhishek could yet feature against Pakistan.
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"As far as I have spoken to him, he looks good. He did some practice today also. He told me he is on the way," said Chakravarthy, who starred with the ball in the win over Namibia.
The speculation is likely to continue until India reach Colombo and hold their first training session in the build-up to the high-voltage clash.
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.
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Home/Cricket/India fuel Abhishek Sharma suspense before Pakistan tie; after Suryakumar Yadav's hint Varun Chakravarthy says...
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