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Suryakumar Yadav
India finally addressed the growing uncertainty around their high-profile T20 World Cup fixture against Pakistan, with captain Suryakumar Yadav making it clear that the team is preparing to travel to Colombo as scheduled.
Suryakumar was absent when the first group of captains spoke to the media in Mumbai on Thursday, a delay that only intensified speculation about India’s stand on the February 15 match. The situation escalated further on Wednesday night after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that the national team would not play India next week, despite the contest being slated for a neutral venue.
Breaking India’s silence at the pre-tournament press conference, Suryakumar stressed that there has been no refusal from the Indian side. He underlined that the ICC has announced the fixture, the government has cleared a neutral venue, and India is ready to honour the schedule.
“Our mindset is absolutely clear. We have not said no to playing. The refusal has come from the other side. The ICC has given the fixture, the government has decided on a neutral venue, and our flight to Colombo is booked. We are going there. What happens next, we will see,” he said.
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The Pakistan Cricket Board has not yet formally conveyed the government’s directive to the ICC. However, if Pakistan do not turn up for the match, India will be awarded two points via a walkover.
For that to happen, the Indian team must be present at the R. Premadasa Stadium for the scheduled toss on February 15. Should Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha fail to appear, the match referee will declare India winners by default.
Meanwhile, in Colombo, Agha was questioned on the same issue but offered no fresh insight beyond his earlier comments. Reiterating that players are bound by the government’s decision, the Pakistan skipper appealed to fans and broadcasters to shift attention to Pakistan’s remaining three matches in the league stage.