T20 World Cup 2026: Former India captain drops bombshell on India vs Pakistan clash

Former India captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has expressed keen anticipation for the blockbuster India–Pakistan clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for Sunday, February 15, in Colombo. Ganguly also spoke highly of the present Indian lineup and highlighted a few players who particularly excite him.

India kicked off their World Cup journey in emphatic fashion, registering a 29-run win over the United States. Following that opening success, the team moved to Delhi for their Group A encounter against Namibia on February 12, before heading to Sri Lanka for the much-awaited showdown against Pakistan.

According to Ganguly, the India-Pakistan fixture will rank among the biggest attractions of the tournament. He pointed out that India look like a formidable and well-rounded unit, making them tough opponents for Pakistan in the marquee contest.

The match had briefly been clouded by uncertainty after the Pakistani government hinted at a possible boycott. However, the issue was resolved after discussions involving the Pakistan Cricket Board, the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board on February 9, clearing the way for the match to go ahead as planned.

Also Read: Pakistan takes u-turn on boycott, set to face India in T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka

Ganguly also praised the competitive nature of the tournament so far, noting that even traditionally lower-ranked teams have put up strong performances. Sharing his personal favourites from the Indian squad, he named Abhishek Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan as players he most enjoys watching.

“The competition has started on a very positive note. Teams like the Netherlands, Scotland and Nepal have all looked competitive. From India, I really like Abhishek Sharma, Bumrah, Surya and Ishan Kishan,” Ganguly said.