Sunil Gavaskar Pinpoints One India Star's Form That Will Make Suryakumar Yadav And Co. 'Nervous'

USA and Namibia are done, and now Pakistan awaits India. A 96-run win against Namibia - their biggest at the T20 World Cup - is bound to give confidence to Suryakumar Yadav and Co. Ishan Kishan scored a 24-ball 61, while Hardik Pandya delivered an all-round show, scoring 52 and picking up 2/21. Sanju Samson flattered to deceive and was out for 22 (8 balls). Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar opined that Samson's form is a concern, especially with question marks over Abhishek Sharma's availability against Pakistan on Sunday.

Abhishek, who is suffering from a stomach infection, had to be hospitalized for a couple of days after complaining of high fever and stomach pain.

He was released from a Delhi hospital on Wednesday, but on Thursday, as the Indian team went through their training routine at the Kotla, Abhishek didn't train as he is still feeling a bit weak.

Samson was caught out at deep mid-wicket on Friday.

"The way Sanju Samson got out... he has gotten out in that area in the past too. Clearly that is something that will make the management a little bit nervous, because in case Abhishek is not fit for the game on Sunday, then Samson will play. Hopefully he will have kept all the runs for that game - all the runs he didn't get against New Zealand and even today, he will be expected to get in that particular match," Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

"Apart from that, it was a very good performance. The way Ishan Kishan batted, and Hardik's performance was great too."

India captain Suryakumar Yadav praised his side's all-round performance after their massive 93-run victory over Namibia in a Group A clash of the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday.

India posted 209/9 in their 20 overs, with Ishan Kishan blasting 61 and Hardik Pandya contributing 52. Wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy then ripped through Namibia's middle order with figures of 3/7, as the defending champions bowled out their opponents for 116 in 18.2 overs.

"It was not an easy wicket to bat on, but the way Ishan and Sanju started, it didn't look like it was a difficult wicket. And then the partnership between Shivam and Hardik - the way they batted after losing two or three quick wickets - I think it was very commendable," Yadav said in the post-match presentation ceremony

Topics mentioned in this article

India Cricket Team T20 World Cup 2026 Sunil Gavaskar Sanju Samson Pakistan Cricket Team Cricket