India leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy has hinted whether opener Abhishek Sharma will be available for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup against Pakistan. Chakravarthy said the opener is recovering well and is likely to be available for the match against the arch-rivals in Colombo on Sunday, February 15.

Abhishek’s maiden T20 World Cup got off to a rocky start. The southpaw was dismissed for a golden duck against the United States in Mumbai. He did not play in the game and had to be hospitalized with a stomach problem. The 25-year-old batsman missed the match against Namibia.

Who will be playing next – Varun Chakravarthy on Abhishek Sharma

Varun Chakravarthy said after the match against Namibia, Abhishek Sharma was present at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday, February 12. Chakravarthy revealed that Abhishek Sharma, who spent some time in the dugout, has also returned to training.

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“I think he will play in the next game. I don’t know. From what I have spoken to him, he looks good. He did some training today (Thursday). He said he is on his way,” Varun said (as quoted by ESPNcricinfo).

Earlier, India captain Suryakumar Yadav said during the match that Abhishek may need to play one or two games to get fully fit. The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that the opener is still recovering from illness and will not be available for selection.

“Abhishek Sharma is still recovering and unavailable for selection. The BCCI medical team is closely monitoring his progress.”

Sanju Samson fails to take chances in Abhishek Sharma’s absence

India defeated Namibia by a total of 209-9 and then defeated Namibia by 116 runs in 18.2 overs to register a crushing victory. Varun Chakravarthy led the bowling attack with 3-7 in two overs, while Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel took two wickets each.

In the run chase, Ishan Kishan scored 61 runs off 24 balls. Hardik Pandya also played a key role as he smashed 52 off 28 deliveries to take the total past the 200-run mark.

In the absence of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson opened the innings and got off to a fast start. He scored 22 runs off 8 balls, including 3 sixes and 1 four, but he once again failed to build on his momentum in the opening over and got out early. Samson did not hold a wicket in the match and Ishan Kishan took the gloves.

Abhishek Sharma emerges as India’s leading run-getter in T20Is 2025

Abhishek Sharma made his T20I debut in 2024. The left-hander has scored 1,297 runs in 39 games with 2 centuries and 8 half-centuries at an average of 36.02 and a strike rate of 194.45.

In 2025, Abhishek emerged as India’s leading run-scorer in T20Is. He scored 859 points in 21 games with an average of 42.96 and a strike rate of 193.46. The opener scored a career-best 135 against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Abhishek also played a key role in the 2025 Asia Cup where he scored 314 runs in seven innings at an average of 44.85 and was named the Player of the Series. If he regains fitness before India arrives in Colombo, the team is likely to include him in the starting XI.

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