Suryakumar Yadav clears India's stance on Pakistan boycott drama ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
(Courtesy : BCCI)
India and Pakistan are placed in Group A in the T20 World Cup 2026.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 just days away, Suryakumar Yadav opens up on India’s stance on facing arch-rivals Pakistan. The competition, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, was expected to witness one of cricket’s most anticipated clashes — India vs Pakistan. However, recent developments have put the marquee encounter under serious doubt.
Ahead of the scheduled February 15 clash in Colombo, the Pakistan government announced that their national team will not take the field against India.
Despite the directive, Pakistan are set to play their remaining group matches, making the boycott a selective one that has sparked widespread debate across the cricketing world.
Suryakumar Yadav reiterates India’s readiness to play as scheduled in Colombo
Amid the growing noise and speculation, India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav addressed the issue head-on and delivered his first public statement on the matter during a press conference. Making India’s position crystal clear, the captain emphasised that the team remains fully committed to its fixtures and has not backed out of any contest.
“Our mindset is clear. We haven’t said no to playing them (PAK); they are the ones who’ve said no. Our flights are booked, and we are going to Colombo. Our fixtures are ready first USA, then Canada, and then we are off to Colombo,” Suryakumar Yadav said in the press conference.
The decision is widely being viewed as a protest following Bangladesh’s removal from the T20 World Cup 2026. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had earlier refused to travel to India for their fixtures, citing security concerns. Pakistan’s refusal to face India is believed to be a direct response to that development.
India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group for the T20 World Cup 2026, making their match on February 15 one of the most anticipated fixtures on the tournament calendar. However, with the Pakistan government’s directive now in place, the Men in Green are set to forfeit the match rather than face India.
While the ICC is yet to issue an official statement on how the situation will be handled, Suryakumar Yadav’s comments underline India’s professional approach and readiness to compete wherever.
As fans await further clarity, the focus now shifts back to the cricket, with India set to begin their campaign against the USA and Canada before heading to Colombo.
Why will Pakistan not play against India in the T20 World Cup 2026?
Pakistan’s government has directed the team to boycott the match as a protest following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament.
What did Suryakumar Yadav say about facing Pakistan?
The Indian captain stated that India is ready to play and has not refused the fixture, placing the decision entirely on Pakistan.
When and where was the India vs Pakistan match scheduled?
The high-profile clash is scheduled for February 15 in Colombo during the T20 World Cup 2026.
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Vishwajit Sawant is a sports content writer with two years of experience who believes in writing that feels honest, simple, and easy to read. He enjoys breaking down sporting moments into stories readers can genuinely connect with, without relying on fancy vocabulary. His work spans cricket, football, basketball, tennis, and Formula 1, with a focus on match previews, reviews, and reports. Vishwajit believes good content doesn’t need to be loud — it just needs to leave a subtle impact.