Abhishek Sharma (Source:X)India opener Abhishek Sharma has finally spoken after being discharged from the hospital following a severe stomach infection that ruled him out of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match against Namibia. The star batter remains doubtful for the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan on February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.Why was Abhishek Sharma admitted to the hospital?Abhishek Sharma was hospitalised in New Delhi earlier this week after complaining of high fever and acute stomach pain. Doctors later diagnosed him with acute gastroenteritis accompanied by dehydration. Although he was discharged on Wednesday, he missed the practice session and did not participate in training ahead of the Namibia fixture at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.Abhishek Sharma breaks silence after hospital dischargeThe swashbuckling opener made his first public appearance since the illness on teammate Arshdeep Singh’s social media vlog, offering fans a glimpse into his recovery process.Speaking candidly in the video, Abhishek admitted he is still weak and is on the way to recovery.Abhishek stated that he is feeling a bit weak and has lost a few kilograms. He said that he is on a strict diet of dal and rice.Watch the video here:𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 @ManishSRH Update on Abhishek Sharma by Arshdeep Singh, good to know he’s doing good 😄 Feb 12, 2026, 11:34 PM Despite being spotted at the venue before the Namibia match, Abhishek did not take part in drills. His absence was confirmed at the toss by India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who stated that the left-hander would need additional time to fully recover."He will take a game or two to come back to full fitness," Suryakumar said, effectively ruling him out of the Namibia contest and casting doubt over his availability for the marquee Pakistan fixture.Will Abhishek Sharma play against Pakistan?It is important to mention that Abhishek’s illness reportedly began even before India’s tournament opener against the USA.Given the physical demands of T20 cricket, stomach infections can significantly impact stamina and endurance, particularly for an aggressive opener who relies on explosive strokeplay during the powerplay.The final decision whether the star batter will play against Pakistan will likely depend on how he responds in the final pre-match training session in Colombo.India’s team management appears cautious about rushing him back into action. The medical staff will prioritise long-term fitness over short-term risk.In Abhishek’s absence, Sanju Samson stepped into the playing XI against Namibia and is expected to retain his place if the southpaw fails to prove his match fitness. Abhishek’s potential absence would be a significant blow for India. The young opener has been in formidable T20I form and is currently regarded as one of the most destructive batters in the format. His fearless approach at the top has often set the tone for India’s innings.However, it is important to note that spinner Varun Chakravarthy expressed optimism after seeing Abhishek back in the team environment and also stated that he might be available for the much-awaited IND-PAK clash. "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".
