India head coach Gautam Gambhir has arrived in Mumbai after departing from Delhi on Tuesday night, linking up with the squad just days before the start of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. A two-time World Cup winner as a player, Gambhir will now carry the responsibility of steering India’s title defence as the hosts aim to script history by becoming the first team to successfully retain the T20 World Cup crown and lift the trophy for a third time.
While India’s preparations have gathered momentum, the build-up to the tournament has been clouded by reports surrounding Pakistan’s participation. The Pakistan government has reportedly directed its team not to take the field against India in their Group A clash later this month.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to issue an official confirmation, leaving the fate of the high-voltage fixture uncertain. When questioned by reporters about the development, Gambhir chose to stay away from the controversy.
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The former India opener paused briefly before declining to comment, instead thanking the media for their good wishes ahead of the World Cup. His silence underlined the sensitive nature of the issue, with the focus firmly on India’s campaign rather than off-field noise.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), meanwhile, has issued a formal advisory to the PCB, urging them to reconsider the reported decision. According to a PTI report, the global governing body has warned of potential legal and financial consequences if Pakistan refuse to play the marquee clash. Broadcasters, who have invested heavily in the India-Pakistan fixture, could seek compensation for any losses arising from a boycott.
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“If Pakistan doesn’t relent and play against India, not only will they face financial penalties, perhaps a lawsuit from broadcasters but also any efforts to go to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) are likely to fail,” a PCB source told PTI.
Another official pointed out that the PCB’s position could be weakened by the fact that Pakistan are already playing their World Cup matches at a neutral venue in Sri Lanka.
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“The PCB might face problems regardless of their government directive to not play India as they are playing all their matches at a neutral venue (Sri Lanka) as per their wishes and not in India,” the source said.
The source also highlighted that India have previously played Pakistan at neutral venues in ICC events and Asia Cups, despite not touring Pakistan. With the ICC keen to protect the integrity and commercial value of the tournament, the coming days could prove decisive for the fate of one of cricket’s biggest rivalries.
