Not everything at the Wankhede on Saturday night went according to script for India. Amid the hype, the runs and a tight T20 World Cup win, there were quiet concerns in the Indian camp. Two of their most important players weren’t quite right. By the end of the match against the United States, it became clear that Jasprit Bumrah and Abhishek Sharma were dealing with illness. Despite one of them playing the IND vs USA match, neither did anything in the game.
Abhishek’s evening was forgettable from the moment it began. Playing his first-ever T20 World Cup match, the left-hander was dismissed for a golden duck, falling first ball to Ali Khan after the USA captain opted to field. Worse followed when Abhishek failed to take the field in the second innings. He wasn’t spotted in the dugout either, with Sanju Samson and 12th man duties stretching unusually long, and fielding coach T Dilip stepping in with drinks.
Suryakumar explains Bumrah and Abhishek’s absence
India captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed the situation after the match, confirming that both players were under the weather. “Bumrah, he was having high fever because of the weather, like how Abhishek was under the weather,” Suryakumar said.
Bumrah’s illness had already ruled him out of the tournament opener, while Abhishek’s condition became evident only during the USA match. The opener didn’t return for post-match handshakes either. Mohammed Siraj later added clarity, revealing that Abhishek was dealing with an upset stomach but was expected to return for India’s next game against Namibia.
“Everything is fine. His stomach was a little upset. He’ll be back in the next match and show his magic with the bat,” Siraj said.
Abhishek Sharma became the latest Indian batter to get out for a duck in his T20 World Cup debut, joining Gautam Gambhir, Ashish Nehra, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Hooda. Notably, Abhishek and Nehra are the only Indian batters to have been dismissed on a golden duck in their T20 World Cup debut.
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