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Team India is all set to lock horns with arch-rivals, Pakistan, in the T20 World Cup 2026 match on February 15 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
Ahead of the match, legendary Team India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels that star spinner Kuldeep Yadav can come in place of pacer Arshdeep Singh for the high-octane clash against the “Green Shirts”.
In Team India`s recent match against Namibia, Arshdeep bowled three overs and picked up one wicket by conceding 36 runs.
Considering that the pacer didn`t complete his quota of overs, Gavaskar feels that it is an indication of his not making an appearance in Colombo.
“All our bowlers picked up wickets. Arshdeep did not complete his four overs, while Shivam Dube bowled two and Hardik completed his quota. This hints that Kuldeep Yadav could replace Arshdeep against Pakistan,” he said.
The former cricketer also feels Kuldeep should be picked in India`s playing XI as the Sri Lankan pitches provide help to the spinners.
“Sri Lanka pitches help spinners and India have history of playing three spinners. Expect Kuldeep in the XI against Pakistan in Colombo,” said the 76-year-old former cricketer.
He also heaped praise on mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy by saying he picks wickets whenever he comes in to bowl.
“Hardik bowling the first over suggests Arshdeep may not play in the next match against Pakistan. Varun Chakaravarthy bowled only two overs and would have taken five or six wickets if he bowled his full four overs. The best part about Varun is that he gets wickets whenever he is asked to bowl. Axar Patel took two wickets in three overs, it`s a good sign,” said Gavaskar.
T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs PAK: Full Squads
India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma.
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (C), Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan (WK), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Khawaja Nafay (WK), Usman Tariq.
(With PTI Inputs)
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