India’s T20 World Cup captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has confirmed that his team will be ready for their match against Pakistan in Colombo, regardless of Pakistan’s reported boycott of the game. Speaking at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Yadav stated that India remains committed to playing, with their travel plans already set.
Yadav emphasized that it is Pakistan who has opted out, clarifying, “We haven’t said no to playing them.” He underscored their intention to take the field, reiterating that their flights to Colombo are confirmed for the scheduled match on February 15. By showing up, India could secure two points automatically if Pakistan does not participate.
The co-hosting of the tournament by Sri Lanka and India has been marred by significant political tensions, especially leading up to this pivotal match. Bangladesh, having previously withdrawn from competing in India, faced consequences from their government, which subsequently advised the Pakistani team to boycott their clash with India as a show of solidarity.
Historically, matches between India and Pakistan have been rare at the bilateral level, with both teams facing each other only in global tournaments. As India embarks on their T20 World Cup journey, they aim to defend the title won two years ago. Yadav expressed confidence in his squad’s abilities, suggesting they are among the favorites due to their recent performances.
Despite the upbeat sentiment, Yadav remained cautious, acknowledging the presence of numerous competitive teams in the tournament. With 19 other contenders in play, he reminded everyone of the necessity to stay focused and bring their best game to each match.
India’s opening encounter will be against the United States, who recently made headlines by causing a major upset by defeating Pakistan in a super over during the tournament. Yadav stressed the importance of not underestimating any opponent, recognizing that every game will hold significant value as the competition unfolds.