IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 Toss: Did Suryakumar And Salman Shook Hands?

The highly anticipated IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 Toss was won by Pakistan after skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bowl first in Colombo. The dew factor and the possibility of rain influenced Pakistan’s decision to chase in what looks all set to be a cracker of a game in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Both teams have gone unbeaten in the tournament thus far, and the result of the toss could very well decide the outcome of the game on a surface which looks conducive for spinners but also has the dew factor.

Why Pakistan Chose to Bowl First

Pakistan chose to bowl first upon deciding that the weather conditions warranted making this choice. During the IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 toss, Salman Ali Agha made this announcement which related to the dew factor that would likely occur during the second innings of the match. There is also rain further increasing the chances that the DLS will be required to intervene.

Chasing historically advantageous in Colombo

Salman said that batting second gives them flexibility, especially if DLS comes into the picture. The Pakistani team thinks they have a upper hand in chasing under lights.

No Handshake Between Captains at the Toss

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha did not shake hands prior to the toss for the IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 match, which has become one of the main talking points around this match.

There was much speculation before this match about sportsmanship between both teams, especially after similar incidents were witnessed during the Asia Cup last year. Again, this time, both captains avoided a handshake during the toss.

India Make Two Key Changes to Playing XI

Team India made two major changes before this crucial encounter.

Abhishek Sharma Returns

Abhishek Sharma, who was not available to play in the last match due to illness after India’s dominant win over Namibia, returns to the Indian squad. Abhishek Sharma, known for his aggressive batting skills, has the calibre to take apart any bowling line-up on his day.

Kuldeep Yadav Included for Spin Advantage

The inclusion of Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav in the Indian XI for this encounter can be justified on the following grounds:
His impressive record against Pakistan

Spin-friendly conditions in Colombo

It’s evident that the Indian team’s selection policy is based on a match-up strategy to maximize the impact in a high-pressure encounter.

Pakistan Retain Same Playing XI

Unlike India, Pakistan have opted to stick with the same XI for this particular encounter. Their captain, Salman Ali Agha, has spoken of the need to be consistent in major tournaments.