Team India may be forced to make changes in their next T20 World Cup 2026 match against Namibia on February 12 as Abhishek Sharma missed the team’s training session on Tuesday evening.
India, the defending champion and co-host of the tournament, is getting ready for its next match. The team management rested the entire team on Monday as the team reached Delhi on Sunday. Sharma’s absence soon became a major talking point among Indian cricket fans.
The coach gave information about the current condition of Abhishek Sharma
“Abhi (Abhishek Sharma) still has some stomach issues, but we are hopeful that he will be available for the game in two days,” Doeschate said in his press conference.
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate at the press conference at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
“Washington Sundar has joined the team, will bowl today; Jasprit Bumra will also. Bumra has not bowled for 10 days, Abhishek is still ill. pic.twitter.com/9gesz3ZUuM
– IANS (@ians_india) 10 February 2026
Sharma was part of India’s opening match in the tournament against the United States, where he was dismissed for a golden duck. The southpaw played a high cut shot, which went straight into the fielder’s arm at deep cover.
During the match, news came that the opener had an upset stomach. When Team India came to defend its score in the second innings, Abhishek Sharma remained missing from the field.
Abhishek Sharma will not play in India’s next T20 World Cup 2026 match?
On Tuesday, the team’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that the batsman is yet to regain full fitness. When the team came to the field for the training session, it was seen that Abhishek was not with the team.
If the batsman remains unwell and the team management wants to conserve its resources ahead of their important match against Pakistan, then there will be high chances of seeing the batsman sidelined during the India vs Namibia match.
Samson is available as a backup opener
For the first match of the tournament, the Men in Blue brigade chose Ishan Kishan to pair with Sharma to open the innings. India defeated the United States as per expectations, but their batting performance was not good.
The key batsmen, Ishan Kishan, Sharma and Tilak Verma, all had a bad day. Thanks to captain Suryakumar Yadav for playing a stormy inning of 84 runs, due to which the home team was successful in winning the match by 29 runs.
If Abhishek Sharma remains unavailable for the next match, Sanju Samson is in contention to fill the opening slot. Samson proved to be a huge flop during the 5-match T20 series against New Zealand, as he was out cheaply in all the matches.
Due to Sanju Samson’s poor form, the team management promoted Ishan Kishan to the opening position to link up with Sharma.
read moreWashington Sundar joins the team, India coach gives big update on Jasprit Bumrah