IND vs PAK 2026: Probable Playing XI & The 2 Stars Dropped!
COLOMBO: The waiting game is over. The weather has cleared, the pitch is ready, and the teams are locked in. But this isn’t the India vs. Pakistan of the last decade. As we head into this Group A blockbuster at the R. Premadasa Stadium, the team sheets reveal a massive changing of the guard.
While fans were expecting the traditional Rohit vs. Babar toss, proper research and recent squad announcements indicate a seismic shift. With the retirement of Indian legends (Rohit & Kohli) from T20Is and Pakistan’s bold decision to overhaul their squad, this match marks the dawn of a new rivalry: Suryakumar Yadav vs. Salman Ali Agha.
Here is the definitive guide to the Possible Playing XIs, the shocking omissions, and the cold, hard stats that define this rivalry.
Read More: IND vs PAK: Weather Clear, But Pitch Is Tricky! See Details
The Team News: Shock Exclusions & New Leaders
The biggest talking point isn’t who is playing, but who isn’t.
- India’s Bold Call: With the retirement of the “Big Two” (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli) after the 2024 triumph, Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) leads a fearless unit. The shocker? Star opener Shubman Gill reportedly missed the final squad cut due to fitness/form, paving the way for the explosive Abhishek Sharma or Ishan Kishan.
- Pakistan’s Bombshell: Reports from the Pakistan camp suggest a massive overhaul. Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf, long-time staples of the T20 side, have faced the axe in favor of younger blood like Sahibzada Farhan and Khawaja Nafay. Babar Azam plays solely as a batter, with Salman Ali Agha taking the reins as captain to manage the middle-order stability.
Table 1: India vs Pakistan – Possible Playing XI (2026)
Here is how the two Asian giants are likely to line up in Colombo:
| Role | INDIA (Possible XI) | PAKISTAN (Possible XI) |
| Openers | 1. Sanju Samson (wk) 2. Ishan Kishan / Abhishek Sharma | 1. Saim Ayub 2. Sahibzada Farhan (wk) |
| Middle Order | 3. Tilak Varma 4. Suryakumar Yadav (C) | 3. Babar Azam 4. Fakhar Zaman |
| Finishers | 5. Hardik Pandya 6. Rinku Singh | 5. Salman Ali Agha (C) 6. Iftikhar Ahmed / Shadab Khan |
| All-Rounders | 7. Axar Patel | 7. Imad Wasim / M. Nawaz |
| Spinners | 8. Varun Chakravarthy / Kuldeep Yadav | 8. Abrar Ahmed |
| Pacers | 9. Arshdeep Singh 10. Jasprit Bumrah 11. Mohammed Siraj | 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi 10. Naseem Shah 11. Mohammad Abbas Afridi |
Analysis:
- India’s Edge: The middle order of SKY, Hardik, and Rinku Singh is arguably the most destructive in the world.
- Pakistan’s Risk: Dropping Rizwan breaks the famous “Babar-Rizwan” opening pair. Saim Ayub and Farhan must fire early to protect Babar from the new ball swing of Arshdeep Singh.
Head-to-Head Records: Complete Domination?
When it comes to the shortest format, India has historically held the upper hand. However, Pakistan’s unpredictability makes them dangerous, especially in Asian conditions.
Table 2: Overall T20I Head-to-Head
| Stat Category | Record |
| Total Matches Played | 13 |
| India Won | 10 |
| Pakistan Won | 3 |
| Tied / No Result | 0 |
| Last 5 Matches | India led 4-1 |
Table 3: T20 World Cup Head-to-Head
The World Cup stage has been India’s fortress, with only one breach in history (2021).
| Year | Winner | Key Performer |
| 2007 (Group) | India (Bowl-out) | Robin Uthappa / Sehwag |
| 2007 (Final) | India (by 5 runs) | Irfan Pathan / Joginder Sharma |
| 2012 | India (by 8 wkts) | Virat Kohli (78*) |
| 2014 | India (by 7 wkts) | Amit Mishra (2/22) |
| 2016 | India (by 6 wkts) | Virat Kohli (55*) |
| 2021 | Pakistan (by 10 wkts) | Shaheen Afridi / Babar Azam |
| 2022 | India (by 4 wkts) | Virat Kohli (82*) |
| 2024 | India (by 6 runs) | Jasprit Bumrah (3/14) |
Total World Cup Score: India 7 – 1 Pakistan
Key Battles to Watch
The game will be won or lost in these specific mini-battles:
- Shaheen Afridi vs. The Openers:Shaheen’s first over is an event in itself. With Rohit gone, can Sanju Samson or Ishan Kishan handle the inswinging yorker? If Shaheen strikes early, India’s middle order will be exposed to the turning ball.
- Jasprit Bumrah vs. Babar Azam:Babar is the anchor. Bumrah is the destroyer. Bumrah has a great record of keeping Babar quiet in powerplays. If Babar gets stuck against Bumrah, the pressure will mount on the inexperienced Pakistani lower order.
- Suryakumar Yadav vs. Shadab Khan:SKY is the best player of spin in the modern game. Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s premier spinner, will have to bowl perfectly to stop SKY from sweeping him out of the attack.
Venue Stats: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
The pitch report earlier indicated “sticky” conditions. Here is what history tells us about this ground.
Table 4: Ground Stats (T20Is)
| Total Matches | 44+ |
| Batting 1st Won | 19 |
| Batting 2nd Won | 24 |
| Avg 1st Innings Score | 150-160 |
| Highest Chased | 174 (Sri Lanka vs Aus) |
| Lowest Defended | 115 (South Africa vs SL) |
Verdict: Chasing is statistically preferred. However, with the 81% humidity forecast for today, the captain winning the toss might still choose to bowl first to utilize the early swing and avoid the sticky pitch later on.
Conclusion: Who Wins?
On paper, India looks far more balanced. Their depth in batting (down to Axar Patel at No. 7/8) and the presence of the world’s best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, gives them a massive advantage.
Pakistan, with a new captain and a shuffled lineup, is the wildcard. If Saim Ayub explodes or Shaheen rips through the top order, chaos will ensue.
Prediction: India to win, but expect a low-scoring thriller (approx 150 runs) decided in the final over.
