4 spinners for India? Will Kuldeep Yadav be the X-Factor on a used surface in Colombo for IND vs PAK?
The stage is set for the biggest clash of the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup as arch-rivals India and Pakistan come face-to-face at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, February 15, in a Group A game.
The euphoria around the marquee clash is on the rise as the much-anticipated clash is set to garner massive eyeballs with the two fierce cricketing rivals coming head-to-head.
Both teams have got off to a flying start by winning their first two matches of the tournament and the winner of Sunday’s game will virtually seal their berth in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup.
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With a little over 24 hours to go for the big-ticket clash, all eyes are on the pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium and how the two teams will formulate their strategies.
Which pitch will be used for IND vs PAK?
According to a report from the Times of India, the pitch which was used in the Zimbabwe vs Australia clash on Friday will be used for the India vs Pakistan clash this Sunday.
Zimbabwe staged the first upset of the ongoing T20 World Cup this Friday as they beat the mighty Australians by 23 runs and took a step forward towards booking their berth in the Super 8 stage.
In the low-scoring encounter, the Chevrons put up 169 runs on the board batting first and then bowled out the 2021 champions for just 146.
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Will Kuldeep Yadav be the X-Factor on a used surface in Colombo for IND vs PAK?
Considering a used pitch is set to host the India vs Pakistan clash, both teams could benefit from having more spinners in their starting lineup on Sunday.
Pakistan have already been using four spinners throughout the ongoing T20 World Cup – Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan and Usman Tariq, while Saim Ayub has also been used sparingly as a fifth spinning option. India, however, have used only Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel so far.
A day before the marquee clash, Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Washington Sundar has regained full fitness and is ready to take the field.
The India captain told reporters: “Washy (Washington Sundar) joined the team and it means he is ready and good to go. I feel their spinners have been doing well with their combination. We have our plans to tackle them. We have a similar set-up as well. The pitch looks good.”
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Going by the India captain’s words, it is likely that Washington Sundar might walk into the Indian starting lineup. India could also use a fourth spinning option by bringing in Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI.
The last time India faced Pakistan was in the final of the Asia Cup 2025, where Kuldeep picked four wickets and was India’s star performer in their title triumph. On a spinning track, the left-arm bowler could prove to be an X-factor for India.
What is Kuldeep Yadav’s record against Pakistan in T20Is?
InningsOversRunsWicketsAvg.Econ.BBI3127989.909.004/30
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