Former Team India batter Rohan Gavaskar welcomed the restoration of the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 clash, calling it a belated Valentine’s Day gift for the fans. The two arch-rivals were scheduled to face off in Colombo on Sunday, February 15.
However, in a sudden development 10 days ago, Pakistan threatened to boycott the game after orders from their government. Yet, after meetings with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), backed by its government, reversed its decision.
It means the much-anticipated India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash will happen as originally scheduled.
Reacting to Pakistan’s U-turn on the India encounter, Gavaskar said on Cricbuzz (2:00):
“All of us thought this game would go on, and it’s a belated Valentine’s Day present to the fans of both teams. It is still a rivalry and a big game that gets the juices flowing for the players and the fans. Now, when it gets the juices flowing, you set alarms on the phone, and everyone is talking about it, that tells you it’s a rivalry.”
Discarded India batter Ajinkya Rahane also weighed in, saying:
“It was anyway going to happen. This was just Pakistan playing as they wanted something. It was always about the revenue for them. India-Pakistan is a very big game even though Pakistan are not a great team like they used to be in the past. The game is crucial for the fans, players, and the broadcasters. So I am not surprised that they’ve backed out.”
Both teams won their opening matches of the ongoing T20 World Cup and will play their second outing before the marquee clash.
“India has had the upper hand” – Rohan Gavaskar
Rohan Gavaskar believes India has the definitive upper hand in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Pakistan. The Men in Blue have won their last five T20I meetings against Pakistan, including three in a row last year.
“In terms of performance over the last while, India has had the upper hand. But it’s not to say Pakistan can’t beat them. Yet, if India play to their potential and bring their A-game, they are a far superior side at the moment. But Abhishek Sharma could get out on the first ball, or he can score 170 to 180, we don’t know what’s going to happen. We scored 270 against New Zealand but collapsed against the USA. So on a bad day anything can happen,” said Gavaskar (via the aforementioned source).
India also holds a significant 7-1 advantage in T20 World Cup matches against Pakistan.
Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran