India's Suryakumar Yadav Confirms Team's Commitment to T20 World Cup Match Against Pakistan

In a recent announcement, Indian cricket captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that the team will travel to Colombo for their T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, despite the latter's government advising a boycott. Scheduled for February 15, the match has raised concerns following Bangladesh's replacement by Scotland due to security issues. Yadav emphasized that India's commitment remains strong, and they are prepared to compete at a neutral venue. The World Cup begins soon, with India facing the USA in their opening match. Read on to discover more about the team's mindset and preparations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 5, 2026, 16:42 IST

India's Stance on Upcoming T20 World Cup Match

On Thursday, Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of the Indian cricket team, announced that his squad will proceed to Colombo for their ICC T20 World Cup clash with Pakistan, despite the latter's decision to boycott the match.

The highly anticipated encounter is set for February 15, but the Pakistani cricket team has been instructed by their government to withdraw after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland due to security issues related to playing in India.

Suryakumar expressed, "Their decision is beyond my influence. I wish I could make their choices, but ultimately, it’s up to them. We have faced them three times in the Asia Cup already." This statement was made during the captains' press conference ahead of the tournament.

The World Cup kicks off on Saturday, with India playing their first match against the USA that evening.

"Our approach is straightforward. We have not declined to play against Pakistan; they have. The ICC has scheduled the match, and our travel plans are confirmed for Colombo," he stated.

"We will play our first game on February 7, and then head to Colombo," he added.

"We have performed well against them in the past. We have been informed that the match is on the 15th, at a neutral venue, and if the chance arises, we will compete. It’s a tough decision for the Pakistani players as well," he noted.