Ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed concerns over Pakistan's threat to boycott their scheduled group-stage clash. Yadav firmly stated that India's preparations for the match remain unchanged, regardless of Pakistan's stance on participation.

During a captain's meet ahead of the tournament, Suryakumar emphasized that India's focus remains on the game. "Our mindset is very clear. We haven’t said no to playing them; they are the ones who’ve said no. Our flights are booked, and we are going to Colombo," Yadav remarked. He further added that India’s schedule is set, with flights to Colombo and matches lined up against the USA, Canada, and Namibia.

India's team is committed to following the tournament’s scheduled fixtures, adhering to all pre-match requirements, including training sessions and media commitments, as dictated by the ICC protocol. In the event Pakistan fails to show up for the match, the International Cricket Council’s match referee would step in, and Pakistan could forfeit the match.

Pakistan's official stance remains unclear, with the Pakistani government confirming the team’s participation in the tournament, but refusing to play against India. This decision has created additional uncertainty, particularly regarding a potential rematch if both teams progress to the final. India remains steadfast in their preparations, ready to play as planned, and focusing on their cricketing goals. The group-stage match in Colombo on February 15, 2026, remains one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of the T20 World Cup.