India are set to face Namibia in their second Group A fixture of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, but the build-up to the contest has been dominated by fitness concerns around Abhishek Sharma. The explosive left-handed opener was recently hospitalised due to a stomach issue, raising doubts over his availability for the Namibia clash.

While he has now been discharged, the Indian team management is expected to take a final call on his inclusion only on match day, keeping one eye on the high-voltage encounter against Pakistan scheduled for Sunday, February 15.

Tilak Varma provided a timely update on Abhishek’s condition on the eve of the match, confirming that the opener is recovering well. However, he stopped short of guaranteeing his place in the playing XI.

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“Abhishek went to the hospital, he went to get some tests done, and has been discharged now. He is doing well. We will decide how he feels tomorrow and take a call on the game,” Tilak Varma said, underlining India’s cautious approach with player fitness during a packed World Cup schedule.

Abhishek’s maiden World Cup outing was a tough one, as he was dismissed for a golden duck against the USA. With India looking to manage workloads and avoid unnecessary risks ahead of bigger challenges, the team may opt to rest him if there is any lingering discomfort. In that scenario, Sanju Samson is the most likely replacement.

The Kerala batter is India’s third opening option and has been preparing extensively in the nets, which puts him in pole position to partner Ishan Kishan at the top of the order. Beyond team selection, Tilak Varma also spoke about the emotional significance of playing a World Cup at home.

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Having worked his way back to full fitness, the left-hander admitted that representing India in front of home fans is a dream come true. “I am really happy to be back for the World Cup. I worked hard to gain fitness and want to win the World Cup for India,” Tilak Varma said, reflecting the mindset inside the Indian camp as they aim to build momentum in the early stages of the tournament.