COLOMBO: India captain Suryakumar Yadav chose a diplomatic approach when asked about the much-discussed handshake with Pakistan ahead of their high-stakes ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match.
Speaking to the media, Suryakumar emphasized focus on preparation rather than controversies. “Wait for 24 hours. Eat well, sleep well, we will see tomorrow,” he told reporters, highlighting the importance of rest and recovery before the game.
The Indian skipper also addressed comments from Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha regarding opener Abhishek Sharma’s availability. Sharma missed India’s opening game against Namibia due to illness, but Suryakumar responded with a lighthearted remark: “If Salman wants us to play Abhishek tomorrow, we shall play him.”
Earlier, Salman had expressed his hope for Sharma’s participation. “I hope he plays tomorrow. I hope he’s recovering well. We want to play against the best, good luck to him,” Agha had said.
Suryakumar also reflected on India’s batting performance against the USA, admitting it fell short of expectations. “We had a scratchy start, we can’t run away from the fact. There’s no excuse. Everyone has played a lot of cricket, batters should have their own plans on a tricky wicket. We started well but had a hiccup, but then covered it well. It’s the beauty of T20 cricket,” he explained.
Discussing the pressure of facing Pakistan, he noted the rarity of matches between the two sides adds intensity. “There’s always pressure. With India-Pakistan, it’s more of an occasion. No matter how much we say ‘it’s just any other game,’ it’s human nature to feel pressure because it’s not any other game. We don’t play them often either, so the pressure is always there,” Suryakumar concluded.
The handshake controversy traces back to the Asia Cup 2025, when India and Pakistan players refused to shake hands during three fixtures. The gesture was reportedly affected by the May 10 conflict between the two nations, which escalated tensions following the Pahalgam attack.
As the much-anticipated clash approaches, all eyes will be on Suryakumar’s leadership and India’s strategy to handle both the on-field challenges and the historic intensity of an India-Pakistan T20 encounter.
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