T20 World Cup 2026 has thrown up an early concern for Team India as opener Abhishek Sharma battles a stomach infection ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash. The explosive left-hander recently shared a candid health update, revealing he has lost two kilograms during his recovery phase.

Abhishek Sharma, a key figure in India’s top order during T20 World Cup 2026, was hospitalised with acute gastroenteritis and dehydration before the Namibia fixture. The illness forced him to miss the Group A encounter, raising doubts over his availability for the Pakistan clash. The southpaw confirmed he remains on a strict diet of dal and rice as part of his recovery plan.

The T20 World Cup 2026 campaign has already tested Abhishek Sharma’s endurance, with the opener admitting a 2kg weight loss since being hospitalised. Medical staff are closely monitoring his stamina levels, as the infection impacted his strength and match readiness. Though discharged, he has only resumed light training sessions.

India’s management is cautious in T20 World Cup 2026, prioritising long-term fitness over rushing Abhishek Sharma back for one marquee fixture. Captain Suryakumar Yadav indicated the batter is “still not fine,” hinting he could miss another game. A final decision will depend on his performance in the last training session in Colombo.

If Abhishek Sharma fails to prove match fitness in T20 World Cup 2026, Sanju Samson is likely to continue opening alongside Ishan Kishan. With India eyeing top spot in Group A, the team will weigh risk versus reward carefully before the Pakistan showdown.