Colombo, Feb 14 (NationPress) India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav announced that opener Abhishek Sharma, who was sidelined during the second match of the T20 World Cup 2026 against Namibia, is now fit to play and will participate in the highly anticipated match against arch-rivals Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Abhishek was hospitalized in New Delhi earlier this week due to a stomach infection he developed during the game against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In his absence, Sanju Samson took the opening role against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he scored a quick 22 runs off just 8 balls and might be called upon again if necessary.

When asked about Abhishek’s status for Sunday’s match, Suryakumar confirmed at the pre-match press conference, “Yes, he will play. There’s always pressure. The India-Pakistan match is more than just a game. Regardless of how much we try to downplay it, the pressure is part of the occasion. We don’t face them frequently, thus the pressure is always present.”

Furthermore, rain is a concern for this critical encounter as forecasts indicate a significant chance of showers on Sunday in Colombo. Dismissing the weather uncertainties, Suryakumar stated, “Weather is beyond our control. Our focus should be on playing quality cricket. We have similar pitches back home and are well-acquainted with the conditions here.”

The rivalry between India and Pakistan has been a significant aspect of the T20 World Cup, with both teams placed in the same group in the last five editions of the tournament and also in the previous two 50-over World Cups. Historically, the two teams have clashed eight times in the T20 World Cup, with India winning seven times and Pakistan securing just one victory in 2021.

On a different note, Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha shared his thoughts on the discussions surrounding Usman Tariq and his bowling action, labeling the spinner as the team's “trump card.” Despite questions about the legality of Tariq’s unique bowling style, which features a pause before delivery, Suryakumar emphasized that the Indian squad will not succumb to the challenges posed by Tariq. “Even if it’s an unconventional question, we can’t ignore it. He’s a unique player, but we’re excited and not backing down,” he stated.

Although India has won two matches in the T20 World Cup 2026, the team’s batting lineup has faced difficulties, particularly in the middle order against the USA and Namibia. Suryakumar addressed these challenges, saying, “We had a shaky beginning, which is undeniable. There are no excuses. Our batters must devise their own strategies on challenging pitches. We initiated well but encountered issues, and then we managed to recover. That’s the essence of T20 cricket.”