After all the boycott theatrics, political noise and endless off-field chatter, cricket’s biggest fixture has finally arrived on schedule. India vs Pakistan will light up Colombo on February 15, but for all the hype around the rivalry, one question has hovered above everything else.
Will Abhishek Sharma play?
India may be favourites on paper, but their biggest batting asset has been at the centre of uncertainty in the build-up. And even if Abhishek is fit enough to take the field, the bigger debate is whether India should actually risk him in a group-stage clash this early in the tournament.
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The good news for Indian fans is that Abhishek has rejoined the squad and was spotted training with the team ahead of the marquee night.
On Saturday, he batted in two separate stints, longer than anyone else before drizzle cut the session short. He faced the round-arm trajectory repeatedly, a clear sign that India are preparing him for Pakistan’s bowling threats.
But the question remains. Is Abhishek fully ready, or is this a gamble dressed up as confidence?
WHAT HAPPENED TO ABHISHEK SHARMA?
Abhishek’s absence began with what was reported as a stomach bug. The opener was hospitalised in Delhi for treatment and was discharged on February 11, according to team-mate Tilak Varma, who spoke to the press before India’s match against Namibia.
However, Abhishek missed India’s training sessions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and eventually sat out the Namibia game, with Sanju Samson stepping in as his replacement.
The 23-year-old is believed to have lost nearly two kilos during his brief illness, but is now recovering well in time for the high-stakes showdown.
Even so, the build-up has not been gentle. Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir took a swipe at the young opener, calling him a “slogger” and questioning his technique.
Amir claimed Abhishek was not a technically sound batter and could be dismissed with the right plans. The comments drew backlash, but Amir stood firm.
It is the kind of extra spice this rivalry never struggles to find.
And yet, Abhishek’s numbers suggest he is far more than a reckless hitter. In 39 T20Is so far, he has piled up 1,297 runs at a strike rate of 200, including two centuries and eight fifties.
Against Pakistan, though, the sample size is small. Abhishek has played three T20Is, all during the Asia Cup last year, scoring 110 runs at a strike rate of 189.65.
Not bad, but perhaps not yet the full-statement performance he is capable of.
WILL ABHISHEK SHARMA PLAY IND VS PAK?
Abhishek is expected to return for Sunday’s contest, and Pakistan themselves seem to want him out there.
Captain Salman Ali Agha made it clear that Pakistan want to face India’s strongest XI.
“I really hope — we all know he’s a good player — and I really hope he plays tomorrow because we want to play against the best team they have. I really hope he is recovering well and can play tomorrow,” Agha said.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav, in his own style, dropped a strong hint that Abhishek is very much in the plans.
When reporters relayed Agha’s comments, Suryakumar responded with a grin.
“If Pakistan want Abhishek Sharma to play, he will play,” he said.
Still, not everyone believes India should rush the opener back.
Former Australia batter and JioStar expert Aaron Finch urged caution, suggesting India have enough depth to cope without taking unnecessary risks so early.
“As big as the game is, I think India will have their eye on the Super 8s, the semi-final, and the final. So, to me, if Abhishek is still under the weather and you don’t want to take a risk, that’s totally fine, because you understand that you can’t win the tournament in this first phase, but you can certainly lose it,” Finch said.
On the other side of the debate, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh came out swinging in support of Abhishek, shutting down Amir’s criticism and backing the opener to haunt Pakistan.
“If Abhishek stays at the crease, he’ll remind everyone who he is. For the last 4–5 months, he’s already been in your dreams. If he goes big tomorrow, then for the next six months, he’ll be in your dreams again,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
So, fit or not, should India really risk him?
That is the balancing act. Abhishek Sharma is explosive, unpredictable, and match-changing. But India also know tournaments are not won in one group game, even one as massive as India vs Pakistan.
Sunday in Colombo will reveal whether India choose caution, or whether they back their biggest batting weapon to answer the “out-of-syllabus” question on cricket’s grandest stage.
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