India vs Pakistan Live, T20 World Cup: Team combination key, Pakistan to go spin heavy?

Another thing to look at is.. will Pakistan go spin heavy and have all -- Nawaz, Abrar, Saim, Shadab and USman Tariq? It will be a brave decision, if that does happen.

Babar might be a world-class player but truth be told, he has been poor in the format. He is a bit of a weaklink in this team and should be left out.

As expected, heavy security in Colombo

From inside the stadium…. Heavy security check ongoing inside the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo as the much awaited #INDvsPAK match expected to begin in a few hours.. long queues already at the gates!

Video - Kushan Pathiraja (Daily Mirror) pic.twitter.com/9uZymJFoaJ

— Jamila Husain (@Jamz5251) February 15, 2026

Ganguly on India's chances:"I don't believe in head-to-head figures. I don't believe in the favourites tag, especially in T20 cricket. What I believe is that India start as a much stronger team than Pakistan. India are a very good team. They are very well balanced in batting, bowling, seam bowling, spin bowling, fielding and game sense. They have big match experience. So they start as the stronger side. But whether India win or not will be decided by the 40 overs in Colombo."

Sun is out for now

Sun's peaking out in Colombo... #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/7TK38T8Eop

— Pratyush Sinha (@prat1204) February 15, 2026

3 hours remain for the match

📍 Colombo

All pumped up for our next challenge in the #T20WorldCup 🙌#TeamIndia | #MenInBlue pic.twitter.com/RXTFg91buy

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 15, 2026

It is 4 pm in India now and the wait is about to get over for IND vs PAK. The toss is at 6.30 pm and the match starts at 7 pm.

Among all the dignitiries, Rohit Sharma could also be in attendance for the match as he is he brand ambassdor for the ICC T20 World Cup.

Vaughan says, India will win

India .. https://t.co/ErflFnApsN

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 15, 2026

"I don't think players will feel pressure just because it is India vs Pakistan. Players are used to pressure. They face it every day. When India play Australia, South Africa or England, they also have to win. So playing Pakistan is no different for me. It was no different when I played too. I never looked at Pakistan as a different team. When you play at this level, you handle pressure every day. So I don't see it as a problem. India just have to go and play well. Bat well, bowl well. In big games, it is about keeping composure. Every World Cup game is a big game. When South Africa or New Zealand play India, it is as big as India-Pakistan, maybe even bigger. India vs South Africa is a bigger game than India vs Pakistan. If Australia qualify, India vs Australia is a bigger game too. There are no easy matches in the T20 World Cup. The players know that. They play the match, not the media hype around tough opponents," Sourav Ganguly said.

You won't want to miss this prior to the start of India's match against Pakistan at the #T20WorldCup 😍

Tournament broadcast details 👉 https://t.co/NPykWM7qqY pic.twitter.com/FD886OaN0j

— ICC (@ICC) February 15, 2026

Pakistan great Hafeez feels, they have an edge due to Usman Tariq. “From a cricketing perspective, the hype around Usman Tariq is already a psychological victory for us. Right now, no one is talking about Babar Azam or anyone else. The focus is entirely on Tariq. He’s played just one or two matches for Pakistan, yet imagine the panic he’s causing in the Indian camp. They are specifically practicing against him in their sessions,” Hafeez told Tapmad.

Ex-PAK spinner Saqlain Mushtaq made an irresponsible comment, saying with tech ICC can change nature of the pitch. "With the kind of technology available today and the modern-day groundsmen, the pitch can change; you never know. We know under whose influence the ICC works."

As per some social media accounts, it is not raining in Colombo as of now. Overcast for sure.

"Colombo checking in: fully overcast, no sun in sight ☁️👀 Who ordered the moody weather?" 🌧️#PakVsInd
Abhishek Sharma #IndiaVsPakistan #T20WorldCup2026#INDvsPAK #Colombo #INDvPAKWatchlist pic.twitter.com/0gIDBCNkZm

— अनिल भारद्वाज (@Anil000789) February 15, 2026

But the situation can change quite dramatically there.

Yes, there is a lot of rain predicted but then, the cut off time for a 5-over match is 10.30 pm IST.. So there is a lot of time and the drainage system in Colombo is decent.

One of the biggest concerns will be regarding the fitness of certain players. Abhishek Sharma and Washi are among those. What that essentially means is, there will be some confusion regarding the combination India wants to go with.

There were reports until yesterday, that both teams might shake hands, after giving the tradition a skip in the Asia Cup last year. But now, as per a new report in Indian Express, Suryakumar Yadav will stick to not doing it again.

The R. Premadasa Stadium pitch is typically slow and gripping, favouring spinners as the match progresses. It offers a consistent early bounce but becomes two-paced with variable turn and grip on used surfaces. In recent T20 World Cup 2026 games here, spinners have dominated (low economy rates around 6-7 RPO), while pacers rely on variations like slower balls. Teams bowling first have had an edge in chasing, especially with dew or rain factors. Expect scores around 140-160 to be competitive, with spin likely key in the middle overs.

On February 15, 2026, Colombo is warm and humid (around 30-31°C), with high humidity (80-90%). But there is a prediction of scattered thunderstorms and showers, especially in the afternoon, with chances up to 50-70%. Conditions may improve later, but delays or a shortened match remain possible. The stadium has excellent covers and drainage, allowing quick resumption (45-60 minutes post-rain).

India and Pakistan have faced off 16 times in T20Is. India lead convincingly with 13 wins, Pakistan have 3 victories. In the T20 World Cup matches, India have a 7-1 record against Pakistan. 

India might hold a dominant 13-3 record in T20Is, but Pakistan's recent form makes them dangerous. Colombo's slow, spin-friendly pitch could favour teams with strong tweakers. Usman Tariq will be their ace as he has already troubled batters. India need to plan differently to counter his unorthodox bowling action. The potential rain interruptions might force a shortened game or delayed start. The ground's large outfield demands smart placement and variations.  

The blockbuster India-Pakistan encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium promises fireworks, with both sides unbeaten in Group A so far. Suryakumar Yadav's India, the defending champions, have displayed aggressive batting and potent spin bowling in wins over teams like the USA and Namibia. 

With the return of Abhishek Sharma, India’s batting will get a boost. However, it is a spin-friendly and slow pitch. That will level the playing field as Indian batters have struggled against all kinds of spin attack, including Namibia. India are yet to face the mystery of Usman Tariq and had an extensive practice session to counter his threat.