IND vs PAK: India, Pakistan to hold separate training sessions ahead of mega T20 World Cup clash
Times of India
by TOI SPORTS DESKFebruary 14, 2026
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India and Pakistan are set to hold separate training sessions ahead of their highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash on Sunday in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The teams will train at different times to ensure they can focus on their strategies without interfering with each other's preparations. Pakistan will conduct their session from 2 PM to 5 PM local time and hold a media interaction starting around 1:45 PM. Meanwhile, India’s training is scheduled from 6 PM to 9 PM, followed by a media engagement beginning at 5:30 PM. Both teams are expected to finalize their playing XIs ahead of the crucial match.
India arrived in Colombo on Friday and was greeted with a vibrant reception featuring local dancers and drummers at the airport. The lively scene was further highlighted by Arshdeep Singh’s enthusiastic dance, which quickly went viral on social media. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s preparations have been focused and methodical, as they aim to counter India’s strong lineup. The match is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams showcasing their skills on Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly pitches.
India’s batting lineup includes key players like Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson. Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya are crucial to India’s bowling attack, especially given their strong records against Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistan’s strategy will likely revolve around exploiting India’s spin-friendly conditions, with bowlers like Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf expected to play significant roles.
The T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan promises to be a defining moment in the tournament. Both teams have been preparing rigorously, with India focusing on their batting depth and Pakistan leveraging their pace and spin options. The match not only determines the immediate winner but also sets the tone for their respective campaigns in the tournament. Fans worldwide are eagerly waiting to witness how these two cricketing giants will face off on the Colombo pitch.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/14/2026