In a major boost for Team India ahead of their high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 encounter with Pakistan, captain Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed that opener Abhishek Sharma will take the field on Sunday. The young batter missed the previous game against Namibia due to a stomach infection but has now recovered fully.
Abhishek was admitted to a private hospital in New Delhi on Monday after complaining of severe abdominal pain. In his absence, Sanju Samson stepped up to open the innings against Namibia at Arun Jaitley Stadium, smashing 22 runs off just 8 balls in a fiery start.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Colombo, Suryakumar addressed the opener’s availability with confidence. ‘Abhishek will play the upcoming match,’ he stated firmly. Reflecting on the intense India-Pakistan rivalry, he added, ‘Pressure is always there. With Pakistan, it’s mostly an opportunity. Staying under pressure is human nature. We don’t play them often, so every clash feels charged.’
Weather forecasts have cast a shadow over the blockbuster tie, with heavy rain predicted for Sunday. Undeterred, Suryakumar emphasized focus on controllables. ‘Weather is out of our hands. Playing good cricket is what we can control. We’ve played a lot here; we’re familiar with these conditions and pitches similar to home.’
Historically, India dominates the T20 World Cup head-to-head, winning 7 out of 8 matches against Pakistan. Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha recently hyped spinner Usman Tariq as their trump card, whose unconventional action—including a prolonged delivery stride and delayed release—has sparked debates on legality.
Suryakumar dismissed concerns, rallying his troops. ‘Even if it’s outside the syllabus, you can’t skip it. He’s a different character, but we won’t back down. The team’s buzzing with excitement.’ With Abhishek back, India eyes another victory in this electrifying rivalry.