IND vs PAK Toss Update, T20 World Cup 2026: India vs Pakistan Playing 11, Captain's Quotes, Pitch Report

IND vs PAK Toss, Playing 11 Update for T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha opted to bowl first after winning the toss against India at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15, 2026 (Sunday).

After winning the toss, Salman Ali Agha said: We want to bowl first. It looks a bit tacky, so we feel it will assist the bowlers for the first few overs so we want to use that. We are relaxed in our group and excited for this challenge. Bigger ground than SSC and the pitch is slower than SSC. Same team for us.

Meanwhile India captain Suryakumar Yadav said: Not at all, we were looking to bat first. We won last two games defending so we don't want to change it. It is an occasion, it's a high-stake game. This sport teaches you a lot of things, any side can win the game on a given day. Two changes. Abhishek Sharma comes in and Kuldeep Yadav is in for Arshdeep Singh.

IND vs PAK Playing XIs

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

Pakistan (Playing XI): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Khan(w), Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq.

IND vs PAK Pitch Report

The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium has generally offered an even battle between batters and bowlers. Fast bowlers can expect a bit of assistance with the new ball, especially in the opening overs, while the surface tends to slow down later, bringing spinners firmly into the contest. Interestingly, all three matches of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup held at this ground so far have been won by the side setting a target. But the record at R Premadasa Stadium heavily favours the chasing team as well, with 10 wins in 13 matches since 2021.

IND vs PAK Squads

India Squad: Ishan Kishan(w), Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar.

Pakistan Squad: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Khan(w), Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Khawaja Nafay.