Colombo buzzes with anticipation as Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav drops a game-changer: explosive opener Abhishek Sharma is fit and firing for the T20 World Cup 2026 showdown against Pakistan this Sunday. The 24-year-old sat out the Namibia clash after a bout of stomach infection sidelined him mid-tournament.
Rushed to a New Delhi hospital on Monday, Abhishek’s absence prompted Sanju Samson to unleash havoc at the top against Namibia, racing to 22 off 8 balls at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Now cleared to return, Sharma’s inclusion strengthens India’s already formidable batting lineup.
At the packed pre-match media briefing, Suryakumar quashed doubts. ‘He’s definitely playing,’ affirmed the captain. On the perennial Indo-Pak tension, he philosophized, ‘Pressure lingers eternally. Against Pakistan, it transforms into opportunity. We rarely face them, amplifying the stakes every time.’
Rain threatens to play spoilsport, with Sunday’s forecast screaming downpours. Suryakumar remained stoic: ‘Can’t dictate the weather. But top-class cricket? That’s our domain. These wickets mirror India’s; we’ve mastered them through countless games.’
India boasts a stellar 7-1 record over Pakistan in T20 World Cup history. Across the border, skipper Salman Ali Agha pinned hopes on mystery spinner Usman Tariq, whose quirky action—hovering landing foot and tardy release—has officials and fans questioning validity.
Unfazed, Suryakumar declared, ‘Questions beyond the book? We tackle them head-on. Tariq’s unique, but surrender isn’t in our dictionary. Excitement levels are sky-high.’ Abhishek’s comeback could prove pivotal in this cauldron of cricket passion.