'Humari flight book hai Colombo ki, hum to jaa rahe hai': India captain Suryakumar Yadav on Pakistan clash

TimesofIndia.com in Mumbai: India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav reacted to the ongoing uncertainty around the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. While the government of Pakistan has decided to boycott the fixture, Surya maintained that the Indian cricket team will proceed as per plan and already has its tickets booked for Colombo.

"Mindset is clear... humne mana nahi kiya khelne kie liye. Udhar se mana kiya hai. ICC ne fixture diya hai. Humari flight book hai Colombo ki, hum to jaa rahe hai. Baaki dekh lege (our mindset is clear, we didn't say no to play. They said no to. ICC announced the fixtures, our flight is booked and we are going. Rest we will see when we get there)," said the India skipper Suryakumar during the captain's day in Mumbai.





When asked whether Pakistan's decision to boycott the fixture is good for the game of cricket, Surya added that it's not something in his control. The Indian captain asserted that they played Pakistan thrice in the Asia Cup at a neutral venue and did well.

"Their decision is not in my control. We have been told to play the game on 15th. We played them three times during the Asia Cup at a neutral venue. If we get an opportunity again in Colombo, we will play again," added Surya.

Surya also empathised with the decision makers as the decision to boycott the government has come from the government.

"It's not my call. It's not an easy job, they must be working out. It has come from the government, it will be a difficult situation to deal with," said the captain.

Earlier in the day, Salman Ali Agha had said they were going to follow the directive issued by the Pakistani government on boycotting the clash against India on February 15.

“The India game is not in our control. It’s the government’s decision, and we respect that. Whatever they are going to say, we will do that,” Agha had told reporters in Colombo on Thursday. “And then, we have three other games, and we are very excited about that.”

Agha also deflected a question when he was coaxed about what Pakistan would do if they faced India in the semi-finals.

“India’s game is not in our control. It was the government’s decision, and again, if we have to play them in the semi-final or the final, we have to go back to them and act on their advice,” he said.

On Sunday, the Pakistani government had announced that their cricket team will not take the field against arch-rivals India, without stating the reason behind the decision.

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan Cricket Team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on February 15 against India,” the Pakistan government said in a post on X.

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