India’s T20 World Cup campaign has suffered a potential blow with the news that Abhishek Sharma, one of the team’s key opening batters, has been hospitalised with a stomach infection in New Delhi and is now unlikely to play against Namibia in their upcoming Group A match. The setback comes just 24 hours before the clash scheduled at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, raising concerns over India’s batting strength in the contest.

The 25-year-old left-hander has reportedly been under medical care in a private hospital since Monday, with team officials describing his condition as serious enough to cast significant doubt on his participation against Namibia on Thursday. Reports indicate that the issue stems from a stomach-related illness that worsened after India’s opening T20 World Cup match against the United States, where Sharma was dismissed without scoring and did not complete fielding duties.

Training Absence And Fitness Concerns

Sharma’s condition was reflected in his absence from India’s training sessions in New Delhi earlier this week, with the batter skipping practice as coaching staff monitored his recovery. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that Sharma has been struggling with ongoing stomach issues, although the team remains hopeful he may recover in time for later fixtures in the tournament.

The situation has forced India’s management to consider alternate batting combinations for the Namibia match, with players such as Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan mentioned as potential opening options should Sharma be ruled out. Team sources noted that preparations are underway to adjust the lineup depending on the final fitness update.

Broader Team Impact And World Cup Preparations

Sharma’s probable absence adds to the list of fitness challenges faced by India during the early stages of the T20 World Cup, although there is positive news with Jasprit Bumrah expected to return to play against Namibia after recovering from a viral illness that kept him out of the opener. The Indian squad is aiming to balance rest and readiness as they prepare for subsequent matches, including a high-profile fixture against Pakistan later in the tournament.

With Sharma’s condition still evolving, team officials continue to assess his health ahead of finalising the playing eleven, highlighting the uncertainties that teams face in major tournaments where fitness can be a deciding factor in critical matches.

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