India’s T20 World Cup preparations received a boost as opener Abhishek Sharma was discharged from a Delhi hospital on Wednesday after being treated for a stomach-related illness. Teammate Tilak Varma confirmed that Abhishek is feeling better, but the final decision on his participation against Namibia will depend on his fitness closer to matchday.
Sharma, who played India’s opening game against the USA despite being unwell, struggled with a second-ball duck and did not field during the USA’s chase. He had skipped Tuesday’s training session at Arun Jaitley Stadium and even left the team dinner hosted by Gautam Gambhir early due to discomfort.
In case Abhishek is unable to take the field, India are likely to field Sanju Samson as an opener. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel suggested an alternative option: opening with Washington Sundar, who recently joined the squad after recovering from a rib injury. Sundar impressed during his first full training session, delivering tidy bowling spells and demonstrating his power with several big hits into the stands.
The team management is expected to exercise caution, especially with the high-stakes clash against Pakistan on 15 February in Colombo. Decisions regarding the playing XI will balance fitness, form, and tactical considerations, ensuring India fields a competitive squad while managing player workload.
