India captain Suryakumar Yadav couldn’t resist making a playful jab at Pakistan. After learning that both teams would once again share the same group in the T20 World Cup 2026. India and Pakistan are set to meet in their Group A clash in Colombo on February 15.
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A fixture that is already drawing attention, given the cricketing and political tension that often surrounds their encounters. The two sides only recently faced each other three times in the 2025 Asia Cup. A tournament India dominated by winning all their matches against Pakistan.
But the event was overshadowed by a series of controversies. Indian players were seen avoiding handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts. And Suryakumar himself famously declined to accept the winner’s trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi.
That trophy has still not made its way to India, even months after the tournament concluded. Speaking at an event announcing the fixtures and venues for the T20 World Cup 2026, Suryakumar laughed as he recalled the Asia Cup episodes.
We played them recently during the Asia Cup, and we had a good time. Everything was completely focused on cricket, nothing else, as you must have seen, he said with a grin. I’m sure it will be a good game. The boys are always excited to play Pakistan.
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Despite the excitement around the rivalry, the unresolved issue of the Asia Cup trophy continues to hang in the background. After India’s win, Naqvi reportedly walked away with the trophy, and it has not been handed over since. Talks between the BCCI and PCB have taken place, but so far, nothing has been resolved.
During the same event, Suryakumar was asked which team he would like to face in a hypothetical final next year. He didn’t hesitate: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Australia. His answer was echoed immediately by India Women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Whose team had recently beaten Australia in the semifinal of the Women’s World Cup on their way to the title. Australia is the only team we want to beat because that’s the game that stays with you, she said. The event was filled with high-profile players and coaches.
Making it a fitting stage for India’s captain to speak about the pressure and excitement of defending the T20 World Cup title on home soil. After playing a major role in India’s triumphant 2024 campaign.
Suryakumar now finds himself leading the side into another edition of the tournament. This time, with the added expectation of performing in familiar conditions. It’s a big challenge going into that T20 World Cup, he admitted. I am very excited to be leading this time. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
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He reflected on the emotions from the previous World Cup. What gives me a lot of motivation is looking at that trophy. When we reached the West Indies for the 2024 tournament, every time the national anthem played, we would look at the trophy.
Every single time. We kept telling ourselves that when the final comes, we have to win it. Seeing it again up close now gives me the same motivation. And playing in India makes it even more special. Next year’s edition will be the first time India hosts a T20 World Cup since 2016.
As well as their first ICC men’s event on home soil since the 2023 ODI World Cup. Suryakumar, who was part of that 2023 campaign, said he has already been sharing his experience with younger players eager to prove themselves. The boys are very excited. Everyone is very keen to be part of the squad going into the T20 World Cup, he said.
I’ve told them it’s a completely different ball game. Yes, the fan turnout might feel similar to franchise cricket, but playing for India is a different emotion entirely. We’re trying to play a new, more fearless brand of cricket, and hopefully we can carry that into the World Cup.
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