Star batter Abhishek Sharma hospitalised due to stomach infection amid T20 World Cup 2026

PTC News Desk: India received a major concern after opener Abhishek Sharma was admitted to a Delhi hospital with a stomach infection, just days before their highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2026 match against Pakistan. He was hospitalised on Monday, February 10, and stayed overnight, with further updates on his health still awaited. India is scheduled to play Namibia in Delhi on Wednesday before travelling to Colombo for the clash against Pakistan on Sunday.

Abhishek was absent from training on Monday and did not take the field during the second innings of India’s opening match victory over the USA on February 7. He had attended a dinner at head coach Gautam Gambhir’s residence in Delhi on Sunday. During a press briefing, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said the opener was still facing some stomach-related issues but expressed hope that he could recover in time for the Namibia match.

However, a PTI report suggested that Abhishek is likely to miss Wednesday’s match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium as he is expected to undergo further medical examinations. Since making his international debut in 2024, the 25-year-old has been in outstanding form in T20 cricket, scoring 1,297 runs in 39 matches, including two centuries and eight half-centuries, and is currently ranked as the world’s top T20I batter.

Abhishek played a key role in India’s victories over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, scoring 110 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 189.66. In 2025, he scored 859 runs in 21 matches at an average of 42.95 and an impressive strike rate of 193.46. He has continued his strong form in 2026 as well, scoring 182 runs in six matches at a remarkable strike rate of 245.94.

If Abhishek is unavailable for the Namibia match, Sanju Samson is expected to return to the playing XI after missing the game against the USA.