T20 World Cup 2026: Abhishek Sharma likely to miss India's next match against Namibia. Check details

India’s destructive left-handed opening batter Abhishek Sharma is expected to miss the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 match against Namibia due to a stomach infection and fever. Recently, Gautam Gambhir invited Team India to dinner at his home on Sunday, which Abhishek was also attending. However, he was feeling unwell and left the dinner early. Abhishek is currently hospitalised.

Reports suggest that Sanju Samson will feature against Namibia on February 12 if Abhishek does not recover on time. Sanju is currently in poor form, which led to him sitting on the bench in India's World Cup opener against the USA. In the last T20I series against New Zealand, he managed to score only 46 runs in 5 innings. His cricket score was 10, 6, 0, 24, and 6. 

During a news conference in Delhi on Tuesday, Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach of the Indian team, shared updates on Abhishek Sharma's health and Jasprit Bumrah's fitness. He also admitted that Sundar has joined the India squad and is ready for match training. 

"As for Abhishek, he's dealing with a tummy issue, but we are hopeful that he'll be fit in time for the match against Namibia," Doeschate said.

"Sundar joined the team yesterday, and he will train with the squad today," Doeschate revealed.

"Bumrah has been bowling after a 10-day break, and he's feeling a lot better. He's moving well and will bowl again today," he added. 

A BCCI source also shared Abhishek Sharma’s current health updates, pointing out that it is still unclear when he will be discharged from the hospital.

"Abhishek has been admitted to a private hospital in Delhi due to a stomach infection. Some tests are being done to ascertain the problem. It is still not clear whether he will be discharged today. But the match against Namibia looks doubtful as of now," a BCCI source said.

India has already played their World Cup opener against the United States of America (USA). In this match, only skipper Suryakumar Yadav did well, and thanks to him, India won the match by 29 runs. Apart from Surya, the rest of the Indian batters were struggling. Abhishek Sharma made a golden duck. India will now take on Namibia on February 12 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. Then, India will face Pakistan on February 15 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, and then fly back to Ahmedabad for the last group match against the Netherlands on February 18.