Indian cricket fans are on edge as opener Abhishek Sharma hospitalised with a stomach infection, casting doubt on his availability for Team India's crucial T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Namibia on February 12 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi. The No. 1 T20I batter's absence could shake up the Men in Blue's top order just hours before the game.
Abhishek Sharma Hospitalised: BCCI Confirms Serious Issue
A BCCI source revealed Abhishek was admitted to a private Delhi hospital for tests. "He's undergoing checks for the stomach infection. Discharge today is uncertain, and the Namibia match looks doubtful," the source told media.
Abhishek struggled against USA, out for a first-ball duck to Ali Khan. He skipped team dinner at coach Gautam Gambhir's home and missed training. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate noted the team avoided rushing him back.
Sanju Samson Set to Step In
Sanju Samson emerges as the likely replacement. In nets, he batted with Ishan Kishan against Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Arshdeep Singh—simulating Namibia's pace attack, including tall left-armer Ruben Trumpelmann.
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Sanju faced 30 minutes of pace, improving timing against spin like Namibia's Bernard Scholtz.
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Recent form: 46 runs in 5 T20Is vs New Zealand.
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Ten Doeschate: "Tournament is long; all 15 squad members matter."
Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav practiced top-4 roles, hinting at lineup tweaks.
Jasprit Bumrah Return Lifts Spirits
Good news: Jasprit Bumrah return confirmed! After 10 days out, Bumrah bowled 25 minutes to Suryakumar, Tilak, Rinku Singh, and others without issues. "He's moving better," said Ten Doeschate.
Global Updates: Injuries Rock Other Teams
T20 World Cup 2026 sees shocks elsewhere:
Why it matters now: With group stages heating up, India's depth faces test amid T20 World Cup 2026 trends favoring adaptable lineups. Fans, track live updates—Sanju's spin play could be key vs Namibia.
Takeaways for fans:
Stream India vs Namibia on Feb 12 for twists.
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