India captain Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed that star opener Abhishek Sharma is fit and will feature in today’s highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Pakistan. The announcement, made during a pre-match press conference at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday, ends days of speculation regarding the left-hander’s health. Sharma, currently the world’s top-ranked T20I batter, has successfully recovered from a severe stomach infection that necessitated a brief hospitalisation earlier this week. When is India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Match? .

Recovery and Return to Training

The 25-year-old opener’s participation was in serious doubt after he missed India's 93-run victory over Namibia on Thursday. Sharma had been battling a stomach bug since the tournament opener against the USA, which escalated into acute gastroenteritis and dehydration. Reports indicated the player lost nearly 2kg during his recovery and was placed on a restricted diet of dal and rice.

However, the team management’s cautious approach appears to have paid off. Yadav told reporters on the eve of the match that Sharma has "recovered well" and has been a full participant in recent training sessions in Colombo. "Abhishek Sharma will play tomorrow," the captain stated plainly, providing a major boost to the defending champions' top order.  'Usman Tariq of Namibia' Fans Link Gerhard Erasmus' Bowling Action to Pakistan Mystery Spinner During IND vs NAM T20 World Cup 2026 Match.

High-Stakes Rivalry in Group A

The match, which is the 27th of the tournament, carries immense weight for the Group A standings. Both India and Pakistan remain unbeaten after two games, though India currently lead the group due to a superior Net Run Rate (+3.050).

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha welcomed the news of a full-strength Indian side, expressing a desire for the match to be played in 'good spirits' following recent administrative tensions between the two boards. While history favours India—who hold a 7-1 record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups—the inclusion of the world’s number one batter ensures Pakistan's bowlers face their sternest test of the campaign so far.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 12, 2026 10:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).