Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has made an out-of-the-box suggestion to Team India about Abhishek Sharma’s potential replacement in their upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 clash. India will face Namibia on February 12, 2026, in Delhi in their second clash of the ICC tournament.
Abhishek Sharma is dealing with a stomach ailment and was recently discharged after being hospitalized due to the same. Abhishek, who made a golden duck against the USA, is not a certainty for the Namibia clash, and Srikkanth made a unique suggestion for his replacement.
Instead of going with Sanju Samson, he suggested giving Washington Sundar a chance at the top of the order. Sundar joined the Indian team squad in Delhi after getting fit from an injury. Given that Abhishek would be crucial at the top of the order against their bitter rivals, Pakistan, in Colombo, the team management may decide not to risk him in the match against Namibia.
In order to give Sundar significant match exposure, Srikkanth suggested bringing in Sundar rather than Samson. He indicated that he would promote Sundar to open instead of Samson, who he believes is not playing well, and that he would change the order for the Pakistan game.
"If I were the captain, I would have had a different thought process. Sanju is totally out of form. I will bring Washington Sundar in and make him open. I want him to be fit and play the match against Pakistan. If Abhishek comes back for the Pakistan game, I will push Sundar to eight and remove Rinku Singh. My thinking is out of the box here. Samson has been given a fair run, and he has not done anything. It is just to give Sundar the feel of a match," Srikkanth said on his YouTube show 'Cheeky Cheeka.'
Srikkanth emphasized how crucial it is that Abhishek play against Namibia in order to get back into rhythm. He emphasized that in cricket, momentum is essential and that Abhishek's absence would be a major blow.
However, he added that it might provide Samson a chance, and that the batter needs to take advantage of it because there won't be another chance.
"Abhishek Sharma playing against Namibia and getting back in rhythm is very important. The momentum in cricket is very important. So him not playing will be a very big loss. The only good thing is that Sanju may get an opportunity. We have to see if he can capitalize or not. He has to capitalize on this chance; there is no other choice," he said.
After facing Namibia on Feb 12, India will clash with Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo, after the PCB took a U-turn on their stance of boycotting the match against Men in Blue.
