Arshdeep Singh has been left out as India captain Suryakumar Yadav announced the playing XI for Sunday’s high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Pakistan at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been included in place of Arshdeep.
This adjustment means India will go into the match with just two main pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, with Shivam Dube likely to act as the third seamer. Speaking at the toss, Suryakumar Yadav confirmed the two changes to the official broadcasters (via Cricbuzz):
“Two changes. Abhishek Sharma comes in, and Kuldeep Yadav is in for Arshdeep Singh.”
Arshdeep Singh picked up 2/18 and 1/36 against the USA and Namibia in India’s first two matches of the T20 World Cup 2026. The 27-year-old pacer is India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, with 121 wickets to his name. Kuldeep Yadav, on the other hand, will feature in his first match of this T20 World Cup.
The 31-year-old left-arm wrist-spinner has claimed 94 wickets in 53 T20Is at an economy rate of 5.08, including two five-wicket hauls. He has also taken eight wickets in four T20Is against Pakistan, highlighted by a 4/30 performance in the Asia Cup 2025 final, which India won by five wickets.
Pakistan Choose To Bowl vs India; Arshdeep Singh And Sanju Samson Omitted From Playing XI
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha won the toss and opted to bowl first against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash. Explaining his choice, the all-rounder told Cricbuzz:
“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.”
“Bigger ground than SSC, and the pitch is slower than SSC. But we have been playing on these kinds of pitches for the last six months. So we have an idea how to play on these pitches as well.”
#SalmanAliAgha has won the toss and elected to field first! 🤔
What total will #TeamIndia post in this all-important clash? 🔥
ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW 👉https://t.co/SpqYo6n3dL pic.twitter.com/e6R5Kldx26
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 15, 2026
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