Just 24 hours before the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2026 clash between India and Pakistan, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has provided a major update regarding the team composition. Speaking at the pre-match press conference at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Yadav confirmed that opening batsman Abhishek Sharma is fully fit and will be part of the playing 11. This announcement comes as a significant relief for Indian fans, as Sharma had been dealing with health issues that led to his brief hospitalization and subsequent absence from the previous match against Namibia.
Abhishek Sharma Recovery and Hospitalization Details
Abhishek Sharma's participation in the high-stakes match against Pakistan was under a cloud of uncertainty following a sudden decline in his health during the match against the United States. According to team sources, the young opener had to be admitted to a hospital in Delhi for two days for observation and treatment. Consequently, the team management decided to rest him for the fixture against Namibia to ensure a full recovery, while however, after successfully completing recent practice sessions and receiving clearance from the medical staff, Sharma is now ready to resume his duties at the top of the order.
Pakistan Captain Salman Agha Pre-Match Comments
The buildup to the match saw an interesting exchange of sportsmanship between the two captains, while during his press conference, Pakistan captain Salman Agha was asked if Abhishek Sharma's potential absence would benefit his team. Agha responded by expressing his desire to see Sharma play, stating that Pakistan aims to compete against the best players in the world. He acknowledged Sharma's talent and wished him a speedy recovery, emphasizing that the presence of top-tier athletes enhances the quality of the contest for both the players and the spectators.
Suryakumar Yadav Response to Pakistan Request
When Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav took the podium shortly after Salman Agha, he was informed of the Pakistani captain's comments. In a light-hearted yet firm response, Yadav stated that if the Pakistan captain wishes for Abhishek Sharma to play, then he will certainly be on the field. This statement effectively ended all speculation regarding Sharma's fitness. Yadav also hinted at the inclusion of Washington Sundar, noting that the spin-bowling all-rounder is completely fit and ready for selection, which adds further depth to the Indian lineup.
Impact on Team Selection and Sanju Samson
The return of Abhishek Sharma necessitates a change in the playing 11 that faced Namibia. Sanju Samson, who made his World Cup debut in the previous game, is likely to make way for Sharma. Although Samson showed glimpses of his explosive power by hitting 3 sixes and 1 four in a brief 8 ball 22 run cameo, he was unable to capitalize on the start. Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan has solidified his position in the squad following a rapid half-century, while with Sharma returning to the top, Kishan is expected to continue his role as the primary wicketkeeper-batsman, providing stability and aggression to the batting order.
Bowling Strategy and Probable Playing XI
The Indian captain emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced bowling attack for the clash at Premadasa Stadium. The availability of Washington Sundar provides the team with an additional spin option and batting insurance in the lower order. The team is expected to rely on the pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, supported by the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, while the probable playing 11 for India includes Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy. The management remains focused on maintaining the momentum gained in the early stages of the tournament.