Abhishek Sharma’s T20 World Cup has barely begun, yet it has already included a golden duck, a night in hospital and, if all goes to plan, a quick recovery. Speaking after India’s ten-wicket win over Namibia in Delhi, Varun Chakravarthy offered the most upbeat bulletin so far on the opener’s stomach bug.
“I think he will play the next match,” Varun said. “I don’t know. As far as I have spoken to him, he looks good. He did some practice today. He said he is on the way.”
The next match, of course, is the small matter of India v Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday. Captain Suryakumar Yadav had sounded less certain at the toss – “He will take a game or two, I don’t know.” – but Abhishek did travel with the squad, took his place in the dug-out and, crucially, picked up his bat for a light session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. That alone felt like progress after the USA game, when he neither fielded nor flew home with the team, instead spending the evening under observation.
Without him, India shuffled the top order. Sanju Samson moved up, cracked 22 off eight – three clean sixes, all timing – yet Ishan Kishan kept the gloves. It hints that Samson remains the spare opener rather than the first-choice wicketkeeper, a point that drew praise and a little caution from television pundits. Carlos Brathwaite called it “a watershed moment for Samson”, while Cheteshwar Pujara wondered aloud if such cameos are enough to lock down a role once Abhishek regains fitness.
Jasprit Bumrah’s return from illness was more straightforward. Four overs, 1 for 20, plus a diving catch at mid-on – all very Bumrah. Washington Sundar, recovering from a side strain, re-joined the group too, ticking off his fielding drills on the boundary rope.
India’s wider picture looks healthy enough. Ten World Cup T20 victories on the bounce have created breathing space, but the staff will still want a settled XI before the Super Eights. An in-form left-hand opener who can clear the in-field is central to that balance, particularly against Pakistan’s new-ball pair.
From a medical standpoint, a stomach bug usually clears in 48-72 hours, provided hydration is managed. Training on match eve is often the final hurdle. Varun’s optimism – and Abhishek’s presence in net practice – suggests the team doctors are satisfied, though the final call will rest with the physio and head coach on Saturday night.
Either way, the story has already moved beyond illness. For Abhishek, a first World Cup innings against Pakistan would be some platform to reset a tournament that began, and briefly stalled, in dramatic fashion.
