India captain Suryakumar Yadav has clarified that Team India has not refused to play Pakistan at the upcoming T20 World Cup, pushing back against speculation surrounding the high-profile clash between the arch-rivals. Speaking at the captains’ day ahead of the tournament, Suryakumar stated that the Indian team is fully prepared for the match in Colombo and has already made all travel arrangements. According to him, the decision not to play has come from Pakistan’s side, following the stance taken by their government.

“Humne manaa nahi kiya hai khelne. Unhone mana kiya hai. Hamara flights booked hai Colombo ke liye,” Suryakumar said, underlining that India’s schedule is firmly in place.

ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Playing Conditions, Rules and Tournament Format Explained

He added that the team’s travel plan includes matches in Mumbai and Delhi before flying to Colombo for the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan fixture. “I feel their decision isn’t in my control,” the Indian skipper remarked, distancing the team from the political narrative surrounding the issue.

Pakistan’s government has reportedly denied permission for its team to play in Colombo. While no official explanation has been offered, the move is widely being viewed as a show of solidarity with Bangladesh. Bangladesh were recently removed from the T20 World Cup after declining to travel to India, citing security concerns.

The chain of events has triggered a wider debate around consistency in ICC decisions and the growing influence of politics on international cricket. The tournament is set to begin on February 7, with Pakistan scheduled to play all their matches in Sri Lanka under an agreement involving the ICC and BCCI.

However, the ICC has already warned the Pakistan Cricket Board that any boycott of the marquee India vs Pakistan clash could lead to punitive sanctions, stressing that such a decision would not be in the broader interest of the game. The controversy was further fuelled by reports surrounding Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL situation, which reportedly contributed to Dhaka’s reluctance to tour India.

ALSO READ: Shehbaz Sharif Backs Pakistan Boycott Of India Match, Kirti Azad Hits Back

Amid all this, the India–Pakistan match remains the most anticipated fixture of any ICC event, consistently delivering record-breaking global viewership, massive sponsorship interest, and significant broadcast revenue. If the game does not go ahead, the sporting and commercial fallout will be felt well beyond just this tournament.