COLOMBO: India has decided to field an extra spinner against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
According to sources, India has dropped Arshdeep Singh and included the experienced spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the team. The 31-year-old Kuldeep Yadav will play his first T20 World Cup match.
Sources further state that opener Abhishek Sharma is fit and will open the innings alongside Ishan Kishan.
With Abhishek Sharma’s return, Rinku Singh will be dropped from the Indian team.
As per sources, India’s playing XI will include: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah.
(Note: This appears to be a reported or predicted lineup ahead of the high-profile India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where conditions favor spin bowling.
