India’s explosive opener Abhishek Sharma has been discharged from hospital after spending two days under medical supervision for a stomach infection, but uncertainty continues to hover over his availability for Thursday’s T20 World Cup clash against Namibia. While the immediate health scare appears to have eased, the Indian team management is taking a cautious approach before making a final call.
The 25-year-old left-hander had an underwhelming start to the tournament, getting dismissed for a duck against the USA in Mumbai. He did not return to the field after his dismissal, with Sanju Samson stepping in during fielding duties. It later emerged that Abhishek had been unwell during the match itself, and his condition worsened after the team arrived in Delhi.
Speaking ahead of the Namibia encounter, Tilak Varma confirmed that Abhishek is recovering but stopped short of guaranteeing his participation. He revealed that the opener went to the hospital upon reaching Delhi for examination and has now been discharged. However, the team will assess how he feels before taking a final decision. The next 24 hours will be crucial in determining whether he can regain full match fitness.
A stomach infection can significantly impact a player’s stamina and endurance, particularly in the fast-paced format of T20 cricket where intensity remains high from the first ball to the last. India’s support staff will closely monitor his energy levels, hydration, and overall readiness before clearing him for competitive action.
While the Namibia fixture is important, India’s bigger focus appears to be the much-anticipated February 15 encounter against Pakistan at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The conditions there are expected to be different, and the management may prefer to ensure Abhishek is fully fit for that high-stakes contest rather than risk aggravating his condition prematurely.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson has been putting in extended sessions at the nets and was seen working closely with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. His preparation suggests that the team is keeping its options open. Samson’s inclusion would provide stability at the top if Abhishek fails to recover in time.
There are encouraging signs, though. Abhishek attended a team dinner at head coach Gautam Gambhir’s residence earlier this week, indicating that he is on the mend. However, he reportedly left earlier than most teammates, a reminder that his recovery is still ongoing.
For now, the update is cautiously optimistic. Abhishek Sharma is out of hospital and improving, but the final verdict on his participation will depend on how his body responds in the coming hours. India would rather manage his fitness carefully in a long tournament than take unnecessary risks, especially with a marquee clash against Pakistan looming on the horizon.