Varun Chakravarthy Stamps Sanju Samson Snub For IND vs PAK With Abhishek Sharma Update

Varun Chakravarthy solves Abhishek vs Samson debate for IND vs PAK [Source: AFP]

In a massive development, Varun Chakravarthy has revealed that opening Abhishek Sharma is well on track to play the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match. The ace spinner, who starred with the ball on Thursday night, guiding India to a clinical win against Namibia, firmly believes Abhishek is good to go, which means Kerala batter Sanju Samson is all but certain to be dropped from the India playing XI Vs Pakistan. 

Notably, the latest report by Revsportz stated that Abhishek Sharma is on course to play against Pakistan and is travelling with the Indian team to Colombo for the crucial fixture on February 15.

It's worth noting that Abhishek Sharma suffered a stomach infection, which ruled him out of India's T20 World Cup match against Namibia. The batter played the first game against the United States but failed to make an impact, being dismissed for a golden duck by Ali Khan. 

Varun Chakravarthy provides Abhishek Sharma fitness update

Swashbuckling Indian batter Abhishek Sharma didn't come out to field against the USA, as he was struggling with a stomach bug. Later, he was diagnosed with a stomach infection and was admitted to a hospital in Delhi. 

Although Abhishek was discharged from the hospital a day before India's second group-stage match, he failed to receive fitness clearance to feature in the Namibia clash. In fact, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav had stated that the left-handed batter might miss a game or two, considering he hadn't fully regained match-fitness. 

However, after India crushed Namibia by 93 runs, Varun Chakravarthy told the media that Abhishek Sharma would play the high-profile contest against Pakistan. The experienced spinner revealed that Abhishek Sharma has resumed practice and would be perfectly fine to participate in the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match. 

"I think he will play the next match. As far as I have spoken to him, he looks good. He did some practice today. He said he is on the way," Chakravarthy stated. 

Abhishek Sharma's potential comeback to push Sanju Samson back to the sidelines

With Abhishek unavailable, Sanju Samson opened the batting for India in their second group-stage match against Namibia. Although the explosive batter hammered three glorious sixes, Samson once again failed to make his start count, being dismissed for 22 runs. 

Given that Ishan Kishan is India's first-choice wicketkeeper and struck a belligerent 24-ball 61 in the last game, Sanju Samson will certainly be ousted from the India playing XI vs Pakistan if Abhishek Sharma makes his comeback. 

Abhishek has been a proven performer in India vs Pakistan matches, amassing 110 runs at an average of 36.67 and a strike rate of 189.66. So, his return will certainly boost the Indian team as it looks to consolidate an already excellent head-to-head record against the arch-rivals. 

India unaffected by Abhishek's absence so far

Abhishek Sharma is undoubtedly India's most prolific T20I batter at present. However, his duck in the first game and unavailability against Namibia hardly affected the Indian side, which comfortably crushed its opponents in the first two matches. 

Tilak Varma has chipped in with brief knocks, while the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya have shouldered their responsibility with perfection. Thus, India have proved why they are the favourites to win the T20 World Cup and would be keen to outclass Pakistan with a collective team effort on Sunday.