Know changes in India's playing XI for IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 clash

India went with two spinners in Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy for their first two clashes of the T20 World Cup 2026 against the United States of America and Namibia in Mumbai and Delhi, where they earned massive victories in both games. However, against Pakistan, they will be playing on a different surface and conditions at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, which places importance on spinners in the middle overs.

For that fixture, Kuldeep Yadav is likely to make his way back into the playing 11 in place of the left-arm pacer, Arshdeep Singh, whereas Abhishek Sharma, the left-handed opening batter, will open the innings as India take on this much-awaited clash. That means Sanju Samsung will have to go back to the benches.

See Also: Know latest update on Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) sale ahead of IPL 2026

After looking at the pitch, the team has decided to bring in an additional spinner into the lineup in the form of Kuldeep, as the left-arm wrist spinner could prove handy at the ground, especially since it has long boundaries and helps the spinners traditionally.

India to bring Kuldeep Yadav and Abhishek Sharma in IND vs PAK T20 WC 2026 

Kuldeep picked up five wickets during the ODI game against the same opposition in the Asia Cup 2023 in the second innings, which also stands as a boost for the spinner’s inclusion. In 2025, he played three games against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, where he finished with eight wickets, including four scalps in the final that India won.

Kuldeep averages 9.87 with an economy rate of 6.58 against the Pakistan side in the shortest format. With a long batting lineup, the Indian team can bank on the left-hand wrist spinner to run through the middle order of the opposition side. The Indian from the press conference, as the Indian team gave the confirmation of Abhishek Sharma’s inclusion, who padded up and had a long, neat session on the practice trips.

There are also questions of whether Suryakumar Yadav will shake hands with his opposition number, Salman Ali Agha, which is unlikely to happen in this fixture. Sky and the Indian players did not shake hands with the Pakistan players even during the Asia Cup 2025.