Team India received a spectacular reception on arrival in Sri Lanka ahead of their much-awaited ICC T20 World Cup 2026 encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday. Players were welcomed at the airport with traditional Sri Lankan dancers and drummers, creating a festive atmosphere for the travelling squad.
In videos circulating widely online, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh stole the spotlight as he danced enthusiastically to the beats of the dhol, instantly turning the moment into a viral sensation on social media.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir maintained his trademark serious focus while walking through the reception area, whereas all-rounder Hardik Pandya arrived in style and interacted warmly with the welcoming performers.
Focus Shifts To Big Clash
Beyond the celebrations, India now turns its attention to the marquee India-Pakistan showdown. The team will depend heavily on a balanced combination of pace and power hitting.
The bowling attack is expected to be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, while the batting unit will revolve around Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya. If Abhishek Sharma is unavailable due to illness, Sanju Samson could slot into the playing XI.
The high-pressure encounter is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament, with India aiming to dominate Pakistan both on and off the field after their upbeat start to the campaign atmosphere in Colombo.