Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: India’s star opener Abhishek Sharma missed the T20 World Cup clash against Namibia on Thursday and could also be sidelined for the much-anticipated encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.After India were put in to bat by Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, captain Suryakumar Yadav provided an update on the left-hander’s fitness at the toss.
“Abhishek is still not fine, he will miss a game or two,” Suryakumar said.Following Thursday’s match against Namibia, India are scheduled to take on Pakistan on Sunday.Abhishek was discharged after spending two days in hospital with a stomach infection, which had left him doubtful for the contest. The uncertainty surrounding his availability became clear when Suryakumar walked out for the toss and confirmed the update.“We were looking to bat first. Very happy with it. As long as we are losing the toss and winning the game, we are fine with it. Dew is going to be a big factor, but when you go out and defend totals, it gives you confidence,” Suryakumar said during the toss.“Sanju comes in, similar batter, explosive. Bumrah comes in for Siraj,” he added.Abhishek was dismissed for a duck in India’s opening match against the USA in Mumbai on Saturday and took no further part in the game, with Sanju Samson replacing him in the field.The opener had been unwell during that match, and his condition worsened after the team arrived in Delhi.Teams:India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit BumrahNamibia (Playing XI): Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus(c), JJ Smit, Zane Green(w), Ruben Trumpelmann, Malan Kruger, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Max Heingo
