The slow surface at the R. Premadasa Stadium might require patience rather than power hitting in the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan on February 15, feels former Bengal wicketkeeper Shreevats Goswami.
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Goswami said ahead of the marquee match that India might need a Virat Kohli-style batting – built on crisp running between the wickets and calculated stroke play – instead of an all-out attacking approach.
India will play at Premadasa for the first time in the T20 World Cup 2026. The venue, known for its big boundaries and slow, grippy surface, is unlikely to favor reckless hitting.
“Premadasa is a big pitch and Pakistan have trained there, so they will have that advantage. It won’t be easy for the Indian batsmen. In the last match, we saw India hit a lot of sixes, but few of them were big ones. Those knocks would be on Premadasa,” Goswami told India Today.
He emphasized that the game could ultimately be decided by which team runs harder and smarter.
“It will be a match where the winner can be decided by who runs better – ones and twos. It will be a match where you need Virat Kohli’s innings: ones and twos, then a boundary. You can play the way you played in the power bowl, but after that you should not look at how to break the ball. Focus more on running,” he added.
Goswami’s assessment agrees a look at Zimbabwe captain Sikander Razawho recently explained how patience was key to his side’s victory over Australia at the same venue. Raza warned that teams chasing 200 in Premadasa risked being bowled out for 140 and instead advocated a steady rate of 8–9 per over.
With the pitch expected to aid the spin, craftmanship with the bat will be key. A total in the 170-190 range could prove competitive on surfaces where stroke generation is not straightforward.
The spinners will probably play a decisive role. India boast a strong slow bowling attack with Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav while Pakistan will look to build on impressive form of Usman Tariqwho played against USA in their previous appearance.
If conditions behave as expected, Sunday’s blockbuster could hinge on composure, awareness of the game – and perhaps a Kohli-esque masterclass.
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Published on:
February 15, 2026