Suryakumar Yadav reveals Indian team stance on T20 World Cup boycott vs Pakistan

Suryakumar Yadav issued massive statement on IND vs PAK [Source: X]

In a significant development, India captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that the Indian team will travel to Colombo for the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan. Suryakumar attended the press conference of captains ahead of the marquee event, clarifying India's stance on playing Pakistan in the tournament. 

India are placed in group A and will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against the United States on February 7. While the Men in Blue will take on the USA, Namibia and the Netherlands in their backyard, their high-voltage clash against Pakistan is scheduled at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. 

India not to boycott Pakistan match at T20 World Cup 2026

Recently, the Pakistani government announced that its national team wouldn't take the field against India on February 15. The Pakistani government took the decision in solidarity with Bangladesh after the ICC replaced the latter with Scotland following a persistent logistical deadlock. 

However, despite the Pakistan government's withdrawal from the India game, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed that his side would follow the protocols and travel to Colombo to participate in the match. 

As Surya revealed at the press meet, India didn't initiate the selective boycott drama and would therefore act according to the ICC-proposed schedule. 

"Mindset is clear. humne mana nahi kiya khelne kie liye (We haven't refused to play). Udhar se mana kiya hai (It's them who have withdrawn from the match). ICC ne fixture diya hai, government ne decide kiya hai neutral venue (The ICC has decided the fixtures, the government has decided a neutral venue for the match). Humari flight book hai Colombo ki, hum to jaa rahe hai. Baaki dekh lege (Our flight to Colombo has been booked, we are going. Let's see)," Suryakumar Yadav told reporters. 

Politics affects India-Pakistan rivalry

Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India have enjoyed stellar success against Pakistan in T20Is of late. The Men in Blue defeated their arch-rivals three times in a row en route to a clinical Asia Cup title victory in the United Arab Emirates. 

However, more than the cricketing rivalry, what grabbed the limelight was a controversial sequence of events amid the strained relations between the neighbouring nations. 

India refused to shake hands against the Pakistani players and accept the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the PCB chairman, for Pakistan's involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack.

In retaliation, Mohsin Naqvi left Dubai without handing over the Asia Cup trophy to India, and the situation hasn't improved ever since. 

PCB yet to release statement on IND vs PAK T20 World Cup boycott

Although Pakistan has announced it will withdraw from the T20 World Cup group stage match against India, the PCB has yet to inform the ICC of its stance. In its latest press release, the ICC stated that there has been no communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board. So, a U-turn from Pakistan is still a possibility, which might unfold in the coming days.