Cricket’s most explosive rivalry ignites once again as India and Pakistan prepare for their 27th match showdown at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. When these two subcontinental giants clash on Sunday, February 15, at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, more than just Super 8 qualification hangs in the balance.
This is the match that transcends sport, uniting and dividing over a billion fans in equal measure, where pressure reaches suffocating levels and heroes are forged in the white-hot crucible of expectation. India, led by the audacious Suryakumar Yadav, enters with overwhelming confidence backed by a dominant 13-3 head-to-head record in T20Is.
Pakistan, under new captain Salman Ali Agha, carries the weight of past defeats but also the burning desire to rewrite history and keep their tournament dreams alive. The Premadasa pitch, known for assisting spinners as matches progress, adds tactical intrigue to this already emotionally charged encounter.
With thunderstorms threatening and a 65% chance of rain, even the weather seems to acknowledge the drama this fixture commands. When India meets Pakistan, statistics become footnotes and form guides mean nothing. What matters is who handles the pressure when a billion hearts are watching.
India vs Pakistan Match Information & Schedule
India vs Pakistan 27th Match Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | IND vs PAK, 27th Match, Group A |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | Sunday, February 15, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
India vs Pakistan Current Betting Odds
Despite India’s commanding historical advantage, betting markets reflect the unpredictable nature of this rivalry where pressure can level any playing field.
| Platform | India Win Odds | Pakistan Win Odds | Toss Odds (India) | Toss Odds (Pakistan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.55 | 2.45 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Stake | 1.57 | 2.4 | 1.91 | 1.89 |
| 4RABET | 1.54 | 2.48 | 1.88 | 1.92 |
| BetVibe | 1.56 | 2.43 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
India vs Pakistan Squad Lists & Team Composition
Both nations have assembled their finest T20 talent for cricket’s most anticipated encounter.
India Squad
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh
Pakistan Squad
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza (wk), Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq
R. Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report & Conditions
Colombo’s premier cricket venue is renowned for producing tightly contested matches where spin bowling becomes increasingly decisive as games progress.
Pitch Report of R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | The surface plays moderately slow with progressively enhanced assistance for spin bowlers. Fast bowlers can generate swing and seam movement with the new ball during opening overs. |
| Batting Conditions | Batsmen require time to settle and adjust to the pace. Once established, scoring becomes more manageable, though clearing boundaries demands precise timing and intelligent placement. |
| Bowling Support | Pace bowlers dominate the powerplay phase, while spinners assume control during middle and death overs with increasing effectiveness. |
| Ground Dimensions | Straight boundaries extend approximately 86 metres, with square boundaries ranging between 63 to 67 metres. |
| Average 1st Innings Score (T20Is) | First-innings totals at this venue average around 158 runs in T20 internationals, with 123 representing the lowest successfully defended score. |
| Toss and Dew Impact | Captains typically elect to bat first, as spin becomes more influential later in matches, complicating run chases significantly. |
India vs Pakistan Weather Forecast
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Comfortable evening conditions expected at approximately 29°C. |
| Weather | Thunderstorms anticipated during the match, potentially impacting play. |
| Precipitation | Significant rain threat with 65% probability accompanying expected thunderstorms. |
| Humidity | High humidity at 74%, characteristic of Colombo evenings, will create slippery conditions for bowlers. |
| Wind | Moderate breeze anticipated around 16 km/h. |
India vs Pakistan T20I Head-to-Head Record
India’s dominance in T20 International cricket against Pakistan is undeniable, though Pakistan knows one victory in this pressure cooker can redefine narratives.
India and Pakistan Head-to-Head in T20Is
| Aspect | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 16 |
| India Won | 13 |
| Pakistan Won | 3 |
India vs Pakistan Star Players & Game-Changers
This fixture showcases world-class T20 talent capable of single-handedly determining outcomes in cricket’s highest-pressure environment.
Key Players to Watch
| Players | T20I Stats |
|---|---|
| Suryakumar Yadav (IND) | World’s premier T20 batsman with 3,126 runs in 106 matches at an average of 37.66, known for audacious strokeplay. |
| Jasprit Bumrah (IND) | Elite death-overs specialist with 108 wickets in 88 matches at an exceptional economy rate of 6.52. |
| Hardik Pandya (IND) | Premier all-rounder contributing 2,128 runs and 107 wickets across 131 T20I appearances. |
| Babar Azam (PAK) | Elegant run-machine with 4,566 runs in 141 matches at an impressive average of 39.36. |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi (PAK) | Lethal left-arm pacer with 130 wickets in 100 matches, economy rate of 7.75. |
| Shadab Khan (PAK) | Versatile leg-spinning all-rounder with 929 runs and 120 wickets in 119 T20I matches. |
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India vs Pakistan Live Streaming & TV Broadcasting Details
The world’s most-watched cricket rivalry will be broadcast globally through these official partners and streaming platforms:
| Region | TV Broadcaster | Streaming Platform |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports | JioHotstar |
| Nepal | Kantipur TV, Nepal Television | ICC.tv |
| Italy | — | ICC.tv |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Ten Sports, ASports | Myco, Tapmad, Tamasha |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports | Sky Go, NOW |
| USA & Canada | Willow TV | Willow by Cricbuzz |
| Australia | Fox Cricket, Nine Network | Amazon Prime Video, Kayo |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport NZ | Sky Go, TVNZ+ |
| South Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport App, DStv |
| Sri Lanka | TV Supreme, Dialog TV | ICC.tv, Sirasa TV |
| Rest of World | Varies by country | ICC.tv |
