T20 World Cup 2026: Suryakumar makes cheeky Pakistan remark as India drawn in same group

Published - 26 Nov 2025, 10:15 IST | Updated - 26 Nov 2025, 10:15 IST

India captain Suryakumar Yadav made a cheeky Asia Cup remark about Pakistan after both teams were drawn in the same group for the T20 World Cup 2026. India will face Pakistan in their Group A clash in Colombo on February 15. The arch-rivals recently met three times during the Asia Cup, with India winning all three encounters in a tournament dominated by tension between the sides.

Controversies included Indian players hesitating to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, as well as Suryakumar refusing to receive the winner’s trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi. The renewed matchup has already sparked excitement, with fans eager to see how the rivalry unfolds on the world stage.

“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. I'm sure it will be a good game. Boys are always excited to play Pakistan,” Suryakumar said during the schedule reveal.

Even two months after the tournament ended, India had still not received the Asia Cup trophy, as Naqvi left the venue with it. Although the BCCI has held discussions with the PCB regarding the matter, no resolution has been reached.

Meanwhile, when the Indian T20I captain was asked which team he would prefer to face in a hypothetical final of next year’s T20 World Cup, he answered without hesitation, ‘Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Australia’. He was echoed by India Women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur, whose side also defeated Australia in the semifinal of the recent Women’s World Cup on their way to lifting the title.

"Australia is the only team whom we want to beat because that's the game which stays with you," Harmanpreet said.

Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan

Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman

Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal

Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE