IND Vs PAK Predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma Set To Return, India Faces Selection Dilemma

New Delhi: Today is Sunday, 15 February 2026, and Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium is scheduled to host India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match – Match No. 27, starting at 7 PM IST (Toss at 6:30 PM). Both teams are unbeaten so far, fighting for the top spot in the group and a strong move towards the Super 8s. But brother, this match is not just cricket, it is an explosion of emotions—tickets sold out, hotels doubled rates, and fans from both sides reached Colombo, but there is also the tension of the weather (cloudy, 50% chance of rain; if a washout happens, then 1-1 point).

Who has had the upper hand in recent matches?

In the last few years India has maintained tremendous dominance over Pakistan. India has won most of the matches in T20 – Out of 16 T20 matches, India won 12, Pakistan only 3, and one was tied. India's record in the World Cup is also solid (except 2021). Therefore today the Indian team will enter with full confidence.

What did captain Suryakumar Yadav say before the match?

SKY jokingly said in the press conference that if Pakistan captain wants Abhishek Sharma to play, then he will definitely play tomorrow! (Salman Ali Aga had earlier said that Abhishek is a good player, hopefully he will stay fit and play so that he can play with the best team). SKY said, "If he wants, we will play it tomorrow." Abhishek is now completely fit and has practiced with the team. The team is focusing on simple strategy, ready to handle pressure. On Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq, he said that he has practiced against such bowlers before, there is special preparation. India-Pak match is always special, players know how important it is.

What did Pakistan's acting captain Salman Ali Aga say?

Salman said that the team is fully prepared for this match. He called Usman Tariq an important player of the team, but said that the entire team is equally important. India-Pak match is always special, and their team is ready for this challenge. He also said on the handshake controversy that the game should be played in the spirit of cricket, the rest depends on what India wants to do.

Will Abhishek Sharma play? What changes can happen in the team?

Abhishek Sharma is now completely fit, recovered from stomach infection, joined team practice. SKY confirmed that he will play tomorrow. There may be some changes in the team composition – inclusion of extra spinner (Varun Chakravarthy or Axar Patel) or all-rounder (Shivam Dubey/Hardik). Predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.