Last Updated:February 13, 2026, 00:02 IST
India will face Pakistan in their third Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday (February 15) at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
India’s likely playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026 match against Pakistan. (Picture Credit: X/@BCCI)
World No. 1 T20I team India will face Pakistan in their third Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The high-voltage match between the two teams is scheduled to take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (February 15). Both India and Pakistan have won two matches played so far in the ongoing 20-team tournament, and the winner of Sunday’s match will become the first team from Group A to qualify for the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup 2026.
For the big match against their arch-rivals, Indian team management could make multiple changes to their playing XI. There is a high possibility of Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion in India’s playing XI for the Pakistan match. It will, however, be interesting to see who makes way for him in the XI. Rinku Singh failed to impress with his batting in the two T20 World Cup matches played so far, and Arshdeep Singh also had a forgetful outing against Namibia in Delhi on Thursday.
One of them is all certain to make way for Kuldeep, and there is also a possibility that both Arshdeep and Rinku will be dropped to the bench to make space for Kuldeep and Washington Sundar.
Sundar, who last played a competitive cricket match for India on January 11, 2026, against New Zealand in Vadodara, is also available for selection. Sundar’s inclusion in the playing XI will give India one more spin bowling option, and he will also add depth to India’s batting unit.
World No. 1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma missed India’s second Group A match against Namibia in Delhi on Thursday, and there is still no clarity over his availability for the match against the Salman Ali Agha-led side.
He is, however, all set to travel to Colombo with the Indian team.
If Abhishek is fit to feature, then he will replace Sanju Samson in the playing XI and open the innings with Ishan Kishan. Otherwise Samson, who scored 22 runs from 8 balls against Namibia, will get one more game.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled four overs in Delhi on Thursday to prove his fitness, and Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube also rolled their arms against Namibia and managed to take wickets as well, which indicated that they will be used as specialist bowlers against Pakistan.
India’s likely playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Pakistan: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah
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First Published:
February 13, 2026, 00:00 IST
News cricket Kuldeep IN, 2 Players OUT, No Abhishek? India’s Likely Playing XI For T20 World Cup 2026 Match Against PakistanDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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