Published: Feb 10, 2026, 07:42 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 10, 2026, 09:17 PM (IST)
Team India held their first training session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday evening ahead of their second Group A match against Namibia. However, the session was overshadowed by the absence of star opener Abhishek Sharma, who continues to be sidelined due to a stomach illness.
While the entire squad was present for training – including Jasprit Bumrah, who was seen inspecting the pitch alongside bowling coach Morne Morkel – Abhishek Sharma was the only player missing. The world No. 1 T20I batter had a disappointing outing in the tournament opener against the USA in Mumbai, where he was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Mohammed Siraj later revealed that Abhishek had suffered a stomach upset during the match and did not take the field afterward.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed the situation: “Abhishek still hasn’t recovered from stomach upset at the moment and he’s not here. Hopefully he can recover for the game vs Namibia in a couple of days’ time.”
If Abhishek remains unavailable for Thursday’s clash, it could open the door for Sanju Samson to return to the opening slot alongside Ishan Kishan.
In positive news for India, all-rounder Washington Sundar has rejoined the squad in New Delhi after recovering from a side strain. Sundar had been out of action for nearly a month, missing the T20I series against New Zealand and both World Cup warm-up matches for India and India A.
Ten Doeschate provided an update: “Washi (Washington Sundar) has joined the team yesterday and will be training with the team today. Bumrah will also be bowling in the nets.“
Sundar began his return with a batting stint in the nets, facing Varun Chakravarthy, while captain Suryakumar Yadav led a net session alongside Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh.
The session saw players focus on batting and bowling drills. Bumrah, who missed the opener due to fever, was back in the middle and spent time assessing the pitch with Morne Morkel. The team appeared in good spirits despite the ongoing fitness concerns, with the focus now shifting to recovery and preparation for the Namibia game.
India’s explosive batting lineup could face a major disruption if Abhishek Sharma is ruled out. The left-hander’s aggressive approach has been a key weapon in the powerplay. His potential absence would test India’s depth and force tactical adjustments ahead of a crucial Group A encounter.
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