Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, has firmly stated that the Indian team never refused to play Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup, clarifying that the decision to step away from the marquee clash came from the other side.
Amid growing speculation around the high-voltage India-Pakistan encounter, Suryakumar confirmed that India’s travel plans for the match are already in place, with flight tickets booked for Colombo.
Suryakumar Yadav: ‘Humne Mana Nahi Kiya Hai’
Speaking at the captains’ day ahead of the tournament, Suryakumar Yadav addressed the controversy directly and removed any ambiguity surrounding India’s stance.
“Humne manaa nahi kiya hai khelne. Unhone mana kiya hai. Hamara flights booked hai Colombo ke liye,”(We haven’t refused to play against Pakistan. They have refused. Our flights to Colombo are already booked.)
His statement comes after Pakistan’s government denied permission for its cricket team to play the fixture scheduled in Colombo.
India’s Travel Plan Already Finalised
Suryakumar Yadav also outlined India’s scheduled travel route, reiterating that preparations on India’s end are complete.
“Pehle hum yahan khelenge, phir Delhi jaayenge, phir wahaan se Colombo jaayenge. I feel their decision isn’t in my control.”
According to the Indian skipper, the team will play its matches in Mumbai first, travel to Delhi, and then fly to Colombo for the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan.
Why Pakistan Declined The Match
Pakistan’s government decided against granting permission for the team to play the match in Colombo. Although no official explanation has been issued, the decision is being viewed as a show of solidarity with Bangladesh.
Bangladesh were earlier knocked out of the World Cup after refusing to play their matches in India, citing security concerns.
Background Of The Controversy
The situation escalated after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the IPL following instructions from the BCCI, with no formal reason disclosed. Soon after, Bangladesh declined to travel to India, citing safety concerns, which indirectly triggered the current chain of events.
ICC Issues Warning To PCB
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly warned the Pakistan Cricket Board that boycotting the India-Pakistan match could lead to punitive sanctions. The ICC has also conveyed that such a decision would not be in the broader interest of the sport.
India-Pakistan Clash: The Biggest Draw Of ICC Events
The India-Pakistan fixture remains the most anticipated match of any ICC tournament, consistently delivering peak global viewership, massive sponsorship attention, and record broadcast revenues.
With Suryakumar Yadav making India’s position crystal clear, the spotlight now remains on Pakistan’s final stance as the tournament approaches.
Tournament Details At A Glance
- Tournament Start Date: Saturday, February 7
- Pakistan’s Matches: To be played entirely in Sri Lanka
- India’s Status: Ready to play, travel plans confirmed
Key Takeaway
Suryakumar Yadav’s remarks firmly establish that India has not backed out of the India-Pakistan clash. With tickets booked and schedules planned, the Indian camp stands ready, while the uncertainty continues from across the border.
✅FAQ Block
Did India refuse to play Pakistan in the T20 World Cup?
No. Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that India never refused to play Pakistan and that the decision came from the other side.
What did Suryakumar Yadav say about the Colombo match?
Suryakumar Yadav stated that India’s flight tickets to Colombo are already booked and the team is ready to travel.
Why is the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match in doubt?
The match is uncertain after Pakistan’s government denied permission for its team to play, reportedly as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh.
Akhanda 2: Balakrishna Turns One-Man Army in a High-Voltage Mythic Actioner
December 12, 2025
Akhanda 2 arrives with the same unmistakable Boyapati Sreenu signature — thunderous elevation, divine mass moments, and an unapologetic dismissal of physics. Titled Akhanda 2: Thaandavam, the sequel transports audiences straight into a world where logic is politely asked to wait outside the theatre while Balakrishna takes over as the nation’s unofficial security force. Akhanda 2: Logic Steps Aside, Mythic
The Devil Review: Darshan’s Political Drama Stumbles Despite Massive Hype
December 12, 2025
Kannada cinema witnessed one of its most highly anticipated releases of the year as The Devil, starring Darshan, hit theatres on December 11. The political drama arrived amid huge buzz in Karnataka, intensified by developments surrounding the Renukaswamy case involving the actor. Fans showed unprecedented support, carrying the film on their shoulders despite Darshan’s absence from promotions. Early morning shows
India Vs South Africa 2nd T20I Match Live Updates: South Africa Won by 51 Runs
December 11, 2025
India vs South Africa 2nd T20I Match (India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team): The IND Vs SA 2nd T20I of the ongoing five-match series unfolds today at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, where both India and South Africa enter the contest with contrasting motivations. After a commanding 101-run victory in
IND Vs SA 2nd T20I Preview: India Eye Series Edge as South Africa Seek Strong Comeback
December 11, 2025
The rapid turnaround between fixtures gives India and South Africa barely any time to reset as they arrive in Chandigarh for the IND Vs SA 2nd T20I. With both teams stepping into the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium under tight scheduling, the focus shifts instantly from Cuttack’s outcome to Wednesday’s crucial face-off. IND Vs SA 2nd T20I – Team News India
IND Vs SA 2nd T20I: Chandigarh Set for a High-Voltage Clash
December 10, 2025
As India and South Africa gear up for the IND Vs SA 2nd T20I, the tight scheduling leaves both teams with barely any time to regroup after the dramatic first match in Cuttack. Having only just arrived in Chandigarh, preparation time at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium is minimal ahead of the December 11 clash. A Rapid-Fire Schedule Leaves No
ICC Ranking Update: Rohit Sharma Stays on Top, Kohli Rises Fast
December 10, 2025
In a recent update to the ICC Rankings, Indian cricket maintains its lead in the ODI batting standings, with Rohit Sharma securely holding the world No.1 spot, while Virat Kohli has jumped two positions to regain the No.2 ranking. The two giants of Indian cricket have shown outstanding performance in recent series, narrowing the difference between them to merely eight
ICC Ranking Update: Virat Kohli Climbs to No. 2, Inches Closer to Rohit Sharma’s Top Spot
December 10, 2025
India’s star batter Virat Kohli has taken a significant leap in the ICC Ranking, rising two places to claim the No. 2 spot in the latest ODI rankings for batters. After a stellar performance in the recently concluded India vs South Africa ODI series, Kohli now stands just eight rating points behind Rohit Sharma, the current No. 1 ICC Ranking:
IND Vs SA T20I Live Score Updates: South Africa Win Toss In Cuttack, Opt To Bowl First. IND-175/6
December 9, 2025
Here are the full IND Vs SA T20I live updates, anticipated XIs, toss information, pitch evaluation, and early match highlights based exclusively on the details given In a much- awaited encounter, the 2024 T20 World Cup contenders meet again as India and South Africa kick off their five-match series on Tuesday (December 9) in Cuttack. The series represents an important
FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: Groups, Dates, Venues and Match Timings Released
December 7, 2025
FIFA has officially unveiled the complete match schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The upcoming edition will be the largest World Cup in history, expanding from 32 to 48 teams and featuring 104 matches across 16 venues. The tournament begins on June 11,
History Made! Kohli Breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s World Record With 20th Player of the Series Award
December 7, 2025
In a landmark moment for cricket, Kohli has surpassed one of the biggest world records held by Sachin Tendulkar, becoming the first cricketer in men’s international cricket to win 20 Player of the Series (POTS) awards. The milestone came after his exceptional performance in the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa. Kohli Creates Global Record, Surpasses Tendulkar’s Legendary
