Arshdeep Singh found himself on the wrong side of the selection decision made by the Indian team management as the left-arm seamer has been dropped from India’s XI for the marquee clash against rivals Pakistan.
The moment is finally here. After loads of drama over the past two weeks, which included Pakistan declaring a boycott of the IND vs PAK clash at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and then undeclaring it, the much-awaited encounter of an ICC event is underway.
Colombo is the venue. February 15 is the date. India are the favorites heading into this clash, having trounced the Men In Green in their three matches in last year’s Asia Cup and in their last two battles in the T20 World Cup.
However, Pakistan are a side that can beat anyone on their day. In fact, it is Salman Agha’s unit that apparently has some advantage heading into this bout.
Pakistan have played both their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Colombo, though both of them were at the Sinhalese Sports Club stadium, while the IND vs PAK event is taking place at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Further, having known that they will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, Pakistan have stacked their lineup with a spate of spinners.
IND vs PAK: India vs Pakistan toss report
Coming to the toss and team news, Salman Agha won the toss and elected to field first, citing the tacky nature of the pitch that he feels would aid bowling early in the match. Agha announced an unchanged XI, whereas Suryakumar Yadav named two changes.
Abhishek Sharma returns to the XI after recovering from a stomach infection, and he takes his opening spot back from Sanju Samson, and Arshdeep has been replaced with Kuldeep Yadav.
IND vs PAK: Why is Arshdeep Singh dropped?
In a bold move, India excluded Arshdeep from the playing XI against Pakistan and replaced him with Kuldeep Yadav. While Suryakumar didn’t give any reason for this change, it is clear that India expect the Colombo pitch to assist spinners more than seamers. Hence, Kuldeep comes into the side. The wrist-spinner has previously done well against Pakistan.
India’s apparent thought process to play Kuldeep instead of Arshdeep seems justified for now. But the move could backfire, as Kuldeep hasn’t been in good rhythm in the last couple of bilateral T20I series, especially against New Zealand, where the likes of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips tore into him.
On the other hand, Arshdeep took a five-for against New Zealand last month and bowled well against the USA and Namibia.
Indian fans on Twitter questioned this selection call by Gambhir to drop Arshdeep, who is India’s all-time leading T20I wicket-taker, and wondered if this move could potentially be a match-losing one!
IND vs PAK: Indian Fans Question Gautam Gambhir As Arshdeep Singh Is Dropped For Epic Clash
India vs Pakistan Playing XIs:
India: Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha (c), Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Usman Tariq
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