India appear set to regain Abhishek Sharma ahead of Sunday’s T20 World Cup meeting with Pakistan in Colombo. The left-handed opener, who missed the previous match due to illness, has resumed light training and is expected to be available for selection.
Sharma was treated earlier in the week after experiencing a stomach infection that kept him out of India’s comprehensive win over Namibia. Team officials have since indicated that his recovery has progressed steadily, and he has begun working through controlled practice sessions.
Gradual Return to Match Readiness
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy provided an encouraging update following Thursday’s fixture, noting that Sharma looked comfortable during training. The opener has spent time batting in the nets and interacting with support staff, a sign that the medical team is satisfied with his condition.
The 24-year-old’s campaign had begun quietly. He was dismissed early in India’s opening match against the United States and did not participate in the field during the second innings. His absence in Delhi required a reshuffle at the top of the order.
Sanju Samson stepped in to partner Ishan Kishan, offering an aggressive start before departing in the powerplay. While Samson remains a viable option, the management has generally preferred the Sharma–Kishan pairing in recent months due to their complementary styles.
Squad Depth Strengthened
India’s fitness concerns have eased at a crucial stage of the tournament. Jasprit Bumrah returned to action in the Namibia encounter after recovering from illness, completing his full allocation of overs with control. Washington Sundar has also rejoined the squad after regaining fitness, expanding the team’s spin options.
With the Pakistan fixture carrying significant weight in the group standings, India will aim to field their strongest combination. The return of Sharma would restore stability at the top and allow the middle order to maintain clearly defined roles.
As preparations continue in Colombo, the defending champions appear close to full strength — an encouraging development ahead of one of the tournament’s most anticipated contests.
