T20 World Cup 2026: India set to replace star bowler with a spinner in the Playing XI for the Pakistan Clash

The much-awaited India vs Pakistan battle in the T20 World Cup 2026 is about to commence in a few hours at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. As the pressure will be sky-high, both teams will look to field their strongest XI to garner more chances of winning. Ahead of the match, striking reports have circulated, stating that India could make a tweak to its winning combination that collected an overwhelming victory of 93 runs against Namibia on Thursday in Delhi.

Likely changes in India's playing XI

As per reports, Kuldeep Yadav could make his way into the playing XI in place of pacer Arshdeep Singh. The decision could be made keeping in view Kuldeep's brilliant record against Pakistan and the friendly conditions which the R. Premadasa surface offers to the spinners.

So, it would be a selection based on merit, but Singh's absence will reduce the pace strength of Team India, and a major onus will fall on Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. If Kuldeep comes in, India will then enter the match with three spinners, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy being the other two.

Another change expected in the playing XI is the return of opening batsman Abhishek Sharma. Sharma did not feature in the game against Namibia as he was not entirely fit after getting discharged from the hospital, having spent two days there due to a stomach infection. India captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed Abhishek's participation in the match during the pre-match press conference that took place on Saturday.

Abhishek is expected to replace Sanju Samson in the side. Sanju scored a quickfire 22 off just 8 balls in the match against Namibia, but failed to convert the start into a big innings. Sharma is set to open alongside Ishan Kishan in the clash against Pakistan.

India's potential playing XI vs Pakistan: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.

India vs Pakistan: Battle of the nerves

Given the history of the rivalry and the public sentiment associated with the India vs Pakistan encounter, the players of both teams will face the heat, and neither team would like to disappoint its fans. For this reason, both teams will not leave any stone unturned in the quest to carve out a victory. Ultimately, the team that will collectively handle its nerves will likely stand tall in this marquee fixture.