Sun Feb 15 11:04:56 UTC 2026: ### Headline: India Faces Pakistan in T20 World Cup with New Lineup; Congress Dominates Telangana Urban Polls

The Story:

The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup match is set to take place, marking a significant shift as it will be the first time in World Cup history that neither Rohit Sharma nor Virat Kohli will feature in India’s playing XI. This signals a changing of the guard in Indian cricket. In other news, the Congress party has achieved a decisive victory in the Telangana urban polls, demonstrating a strengthening of their political position in the region.

Key Points:

  • India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup match will proceed without veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Indian lineup.
  • India will not be shaking hands with Pakistan players.
  • Kuldeep Yadav is expected to replace Arshdeep Singh in the team.
  • Abhishek Sharma will open the innings for India.
  • The Congress party has swept the Telangana urban polls.
  • Other news items include Jimmy Neesham’s reflections on the 2019 Super Over, a firing incident targeting Bihar migrants in Moga, and Suryakumar Yadav’s practice session.

Critical Analysis:

The absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the India-Pakistan World Cup match signals a deliberate strategy to introduce new talent and potentially build a team for the future, moving away from reliance on established veterans. The decision not to shake hands with Pakistani players is likely a continuation of existing political tensions influencing sportsmanship gestures, although the report does not explicitly discuss the context of the political tensions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Indian cricket is undergoing a transition with younger players taking center stage.
  • Political relations continue to impact sporting events, influencing gestures and interactions between teams.
  • The Congress party is solidifying its position in Telangana, which may have implications for national politics in the coming years.
  • News cycles continue to be a mix of national, international, sports, and economic events, affecting daily life.

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