Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India’s left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma is in doubt for February 12’s clash against Namibia in the T20 World Cup after being admitted to a private hospital in the National Capital due to stomach infection. Sharma, 25, missed the training session and remains under medical observation, with assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirming in a press conference that he’s down with a stomach bug.
“Abhishek Sharma has been admitted to a private hospital since February 9 due to his stomach infection issues. The Indian team management will decide on his availability for the clash against Namibia on Thursday based on what the doctor’s report says. “Some further tests have happened too, so they are awaiting what it would tell about his total recovery timeline and subsequent availability for the game against Namibia,” said a source said.
Sharma played in India’s opening Group A game against USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with high fever, where he bagged a duck. Later, a stomach bug led to him not fielding in the second innings, as Suryakumar Yadav-led India won by 29 runs.
The Indian team management will be reluctant to rush him back, considering the defending champions have a marquee clash against Pakistan in Colombo on February 15 and then take on Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18, before the Super Eight stage begins.
Sharma’s absence could open the door for Sanju Samson to partner with in-form Ishan Kishan at the top of the batting order. Wicketkeeper-batter Samson struggled as an opener in the recent 4-1 home series win over New Zealand.