India leg spinner Varun Chakravarthy has hinted about the availability of opening batsman Abhishek Sharma for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Pakistan. Chakraborty said the opening batsman is recovering well and is likely to be fit for the match against the arch-rivals in Colombo on Sunday, February 15.
It was a difficult start for Abhishek in his first T20 World Cup campaign. The left-hander was dismissed for a golden duck against the United States in Mumbai. He did not take the field and had to be admitted to hospital due to a stomach bug. The 25-year-old batsman missed the match against Namibia.
He will play the next match – Varun Chakraborty on Abhishek Sharma
Speaking after the game against Namibia, Varun Chakravarthy said that Abhishek Sharma was present at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday, February 12. Chakraborty revealed that Abhishek spent time in the dugout and also returned to practice.
“I think he’ll play the next game. I don’t know. As far as I’ve talked to him, he’s looking good. He did some practice today.” [Thursday]. He said he was on his way,” Varun said (quoting ESPNcricinfo).
Earlier, speaking at the toss, India captain Suryakumar Yadav said that Abhishek may need one or two matches before returning to full fitness. The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that the opening batsman is still recovering from the illness and is not available for selection.
“Abhishek Sharma is still recovering from his illness and was not available for selection. The BCCI medical team is closely monitoring his progress.”
Sanju Samson failed to grab his chance in Abhishek Sharma’s absence
India made a big score of 209-9 against Namibia and then bowled them out for 116 runs in 18.2 overs to achieve a spectacular victory. Varun Chakravarthy led the bowling attack with 3-7 runs in two overs, while Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel took two wickets each.
In the run chase, Ishan Kishan scored 61 runs on 24 balls. Hardik Pandya also played an important role and scored 52 runs in 28 balls, taking the total score beyond 200.
In the absence of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson opened the innings and got off to a fast start. He scored 22 runs from eight balls, which included three sixes and a four, but once again failed to get off to a start and was out early. Samson did not keep wicket in the match, Ishan Kishan did wicketkeeping.
Abhishek Sharma finishes as India’s leading run-getter in T20Is in 2025
Abhishek Sharma made his T20I debut in 2024. The left-handed batsman has scored 1,297 runs in 39 matches at an average of 36.02 and a strike rate of 194.45 with two centuries and eight half-centuries.
In 2025, Abhishek finished as India’s leading run-scorer in T20Is. He scored 859 runs in 21 matches at an average of 42.96 and strike rate of 193.46. The opening batsman played a career-best inning of 135 runs against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Abhishek also played a key role in the Asia Cup 2025, where he was named Player of the Series after scoring 314 runs in seven innings at an average of 44.85. If he regains full fitness before India reaches Colombo, then the team can include him in the playing eleven.
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