Watch: Arshdeep Singh shares first glimpse of Abhishek Sharma after stomach illness

India pacer Arshdeep Singh offered fans a timely glimpse of Abhishek Sharma through a recent social media post, even as uncertainty continues to surround the opener’s availability for India’s blockbuster T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan on February 15. The light-hearted video surfaced shortly after India’s dominant win over Namibia, reigniting conversations around Abhishek’s recovery timeline.

The clip, filmed in what appeared to be the Indian dressing room during a post-match meal, showed Abhishek looking relaxed and comfortable. While Arshdeep jokingly pointed out that Abhishek was still sticking to a light diet of dal and rice, the visuals suggested the opener is steadily on the mend, even if match readiness remains a separate question.

advertisement

Watch the video here:

Why is Abhishek Sharma ruled out?

Abhishek Sharma was hospitalised in Delhi earlier this week after suffering from a stomach bug, forcing him to miss India’s group-stage fixture against Namibia. The illness came as an untimely setback, especially given the batter’s importance at the top of the order in India’s aggressive T20 setup.

Although Abhishek has since been discharged from hospital, the Indian team management has taken a cautious approach. Speaking at the toss against Namibia, captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that the opener would be unavailable for “a game or two”, underlining that the decision was driven by recovery and not form or fitness concerns.

Will Abhishek Sharma play IND vs PAK?

With the India–Pakistan clash looming, Abhishek’s availability remains one of the biggest talking points in India’s World Cup campaign. A fully fit Abhishek would significantly strengthen India’s top order and give them a chance to seal Super 8 qualification in emphatic fashion against their arch-rivals.

That said, India are unlikely to rush him back. Abhishek is central to the team’s plans for the latter stages of the tournament, and the management may prefer to prioritise long-term impact over short-term risk. If Abhishek is not cleared in time, Sanju Samson, who opened against Namibia, could be handed an extended run, keeping the door open while India wait for their explosive opener to return at full strength.

T20 World Cup | T20 World Cup Schedule | T20 World Cup Points Table | T20 World Cup Videos | Cricket News | Live Score

- Ends

Click here to read article