India’s T20 World Cup campaign faces potential setbacks after reports suggest star batter Abhishek Sharma may miss the team’s second match against Namibia on February 12 due to illness.

Sharma, who has been in impressive form at the top of the order, is reportedly still recovering from a stomach upset and has not yet fully regained fitness. His availability for the clash remains uncertain, with the final decision expected from the team management at the last moment.

If Sharma is ruled out, India could replace him with Sanju Samson to strengthen the batting lineup, according to reports from various sources. This development comes shortly after India had to manage injuries to key pace bowlers, including Harshit Rana, who was ruled out before the tournament, and Jaspreet Bumrah, who missed a game due to illness. Mohammed Siraj was brought in as a quick replacement for the bowling attack.

Sharma’s situation is particularly crucial as he had been in strong form ahead of the T20 World Cup and is considered a promising talent likely to play a central role in India’s T20 setup in the coming years. Participation in the World Cup is expected to provide him with valuable experience, and selectors will be closely monitoring his recovery before finalising the playing XI for the Namibia encounter.

With fitness concerns affecting key players, India’s team management will need to make strategic adjustments to maintain momentum in the early stages of the tournament.