India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026: 5 players who can make an impact in IND vs PAK T20 WC match

As India and Pakistan set to lock their horns for the 9th time in T20 World Cup history, the cricketing world is anticipating a thrilling encounter in Colombo. A few stars from both nations will be under the limelight as both India and Pakistan look to top Group A to enter the knockouts.

How to watch the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match?

Cricket fans in India can watch the India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2026 match on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.

Here are the five players who can make an impact in the India vs Pakistan clash on Sunday, 15 February.

1. Varun Chakaravarthy (India)

Varun Chakaravarthy, the mystery spinner, is currently enjoying a phenomenal second wind in international cricket. Heading into the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Varun has been India's leading wicket-taker in the Scottish format in recent times and can bowl within the power play and outside the power play as well.

Varun's capability to trick the batters with his googlies and faster ones. He will be a player to watch on a Colombo track that historically aids grip and turn.

The leg spinners' four overs in the middle will be the ultimate test for Pakistan's middle order. Moreover, Varun's tight economy rate will also be a factor in the match.

Read also: IND vs PAK T20 World Cup full squad comparison.

2. Hardik Pandya (India)

Hardik Pandya remains the differentiator in the Indian cricket team with his all-round ability with both bat and ball. Statistically, he has always been Pakistan's nemesis, holding the record for most E20 wickets for India against the arch-rivals.

Hardik's striking ability in the middle overs with the bat and also his opening spells with a new ball and later on at the death make him one of the few rare players who can actually match anywhere in the top order and bowl four overs in a T20I game.

Read also: Jasprit Bumrah vs Shaheen Shah Afridi: Stats comparison in India vs Pakistan T20 WC matches.

3. Jasprit Bumrah (India)

After a brief hiatus, which saw him as the tournament opener against the USA, Jasprit Bumrah, the world's premier first bowler, was back to full fitness against Namibia.

His record against Pakistan is defined by control, as we saw during the 2014-2020 World Cup in New York.

Bumrah's four-over spell always proves to be crucial as teams tend to be cautious against him. But the main X-factor is that even when the teams are cautious, the Indian first bowler still tends to have the ability to get wickets for the country, and this makes him one of the greatest players in world cricket at the moment.

Read also: India vs Pakistan head-to-head in T20 World Cup history.

4. Usman Tariq (Pakistan)

Now, he is the current trending hot pick of the cricketing news sector. Usman Tariq, the Pakistani off-spinner who has been in the news for his controversial and unique bowling action and pause during his bowling, has created some problems for the batting units in the T20 World Cup 2026 so far.

Having recently cleared the ICC biomechanical testing, Tariq enters this match as Pakistan's X-factor. His ability to go in the power play and his deadly carrom ball variation will make him a player to watch out for.

5. Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)

Sahibzada Farhan, the opening batsman of the Pakistani team, has been the most informed batter from the 2009 world champions. Farhan can provide the explosive intent Pakistan has often lacked at the top of the order. His ability to take on the new ball was evident during the 2025 Asia Cup. Farhan is also able to provide stability if a few quick wickets fall during the powerplay.