Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed that Abhishek Sharma will play against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match on February 15 in Colombo. Earlier, Abhishek Sharma was uncertain for the high-voltage India vs Pakistan game on Sunday.
Suryakumar Yadav confirms Abhishek Sharma’s return for India vs Pakistan clash
The world’s No. 1 ranked T20I batter was down with a serious stomach infection. His condition became so bad that he had to be hospitalized in Delhi. Because of this health issue, he missed India’s previous Group A match against Namibia on February 12.
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And clods were also for the high-pressure Pakistan game. But the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has now suggested that the left-hander is ready to play in the big match.
“If the Pakistan captain wants… we will play him (Abhishek),” Suryakumar Yadav replied when informed that Salman Ali Agha said he wants India to play Abhishek Sharma in the IND vs PAK clash at the pre-match press conference in Colombo on Saturday, February 14.
Abhishek Sharma becomes Pakistan’s biggest headache
Abhishek Sharma is becoming a big headache for Pakistan in T20 cricket. During the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian opener smashed 74 runs in just 39 balls in the Super Fours and won the Player of the Match award. In that same game, he broke Yuvraj Singh’s record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian against Pakistan. He reached his half-century in only 24 balls.
So far, Abhishek has played three T20 matches against Pakistan. He has scored 110 runs at an average of 36.66 and an explosive strike rate of 189.65. His attacking style and fearless batting make him a dangerous player in the shorter format of the game.
Suryakumar Yadav admits pressure is SKY-High
The Indian captain has openly admitted that the India vs Pakistan match always brings extra pressure. He stressed that no matter how much players try to call it a normal game, it never feels like one, and that makes the occasion even bigger for both sides.
He added, “There’s always pressure. With India-Pakistan, it’s more of an occasion. No matter how much we say, “It’s just any other game,” it’s a human tendency to be under pressure because it is not any other game. We don’t play them often either. So, the pressure is always there.”
Suryakumar has made it clear that India will not take Pakistan’s mystery spinner, Usman Tariq, lightly. The stylish batter admitted that Tariq brings something different. His unusual action, sudden pause before delivery, and sharp turn make him unpredictable and dangerous.
He creates doubt in the batter’s mind, and Suryakumar knows one moment of confusion is enough to change the game in T20 cricket, but India is ready to handle this threat.
Suryakumar further noted, “Even if a question is out of syllabus, you can’t leave it. He’s a different character, but we can’t surrender to him. We are all very excited.”
The Indian captain has also made it clear that the team is not thinking too much about Colombo weather, as there is a high chance of rain at match time in the Sri Lankan capital on Sunday.
He said, “Weather is something we can’t control. Playing good cricket is the only thing in our control. We have similar wickets back home too; we have played a lot of cricket here. We are familiar with the conditions.”