India captain Suryakumar Yadav talked about the stance of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to boycott the match against them in the T20 World Cup 2026. Suryakumar said that India had no problem playing Pakistan and added that they never refused to play the match as the ICC had scheduled the match at a neutral venue.
On Sunday, the Pakistan government said they would boycott the match against India at the World Cup in Colombo as a show of support for Bangladesh. With that stance confirmed, the focus turns to how the ICC will respond to Pakistan and the PCB as the situation evolves with new developments.
We did not agree to play – Suryakumar Yadav on India-Pakistan match
Suryakumar Yadav said that India is ready to play Pakistan. He said that ICC has approved the neutral venue. Surya said that India’s trip to Colombo is already planned and the team will proceed as per plan, while the final outcome will depend on the situation.
Suryakumar told reporters in Mumbai on Thursday, “The mentality is clear… we did not feel like playing. We felt like playing there. ICC has given the fixtures, the government has decided the neutral venue. Our flight is booked for Colombo, we are going. We will take care of the rest.”
(We never refused to play the match. The refusal has come from the other side. The ICC has scheduled the match, and the government has decided on the neutral venue. Our flights to Colombo have been booked, and we are going there. We will see what happens next.)
India to begin T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7
India has been placed in Group A along with America, Pakistan, Namibia and Netherlands. They will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against the United States at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
After the opening match, the defending champions will take on Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on February 12. After this, India was defeated by R.K. of Colombo on 15th February. To play Pakistan at Premadasa International Stadium.
India will play its final group match against Netherlands on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage.
Those eight teams will be divided into two groups, with the top two teams from each advancing to the semi-finals. If Pakistan fails to qualify, the final will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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