India vs Pakistan tension rises as the days of the T20 World Cup 2026 comes nearby. Former players and commentators are sharing their views on the ongoing fiasco between both nations. India pacer Ishant Sharma has been the latest one to comment on the factor. Ishant Sharma believes that it is not good for the players as their mental health might be affected.
The Pakistan government announced through social media last Sunday that they will be featuring in the T20 World Cup and will travel to Sri Lanka. However, through that post, they also announced that they will not be playing against India and will boycott the match, showcasing the solidarity with what happened to Bangladesh ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Ishant Sharma backs the players
Ishant Sharma has discussed the mental challenges that cricketers encounter when training for a crucial game under extremely uncertain conditions. Ishant Sharma stated on India Today’s Salaam Cricket, “Yeah, this isn’t good for the players. The players should be informed whether this match is happening or not. Whatever the situation is, they should be told, because players prepare for a match accordingly.”
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Ishant Sharma also said, “And an India–Pakistan game is such that every fan’s eyes are on it. So the players should actually be informed clearly, so that it’s clear to them whether they are going to play this match or not.”
Mohit Sharma feels sports and politics should be separated
Mohit Sharma expressed concern for the players as well, saying that they had no influence over the circumstances and criticising the mixing of politics and sports. He said, “But sports is a game, and now these things have actually gone far beyond our control. They’re already out of our hands. So whatever we say about it could end up creating a controversy, but I don’t think there should be so many issues around sports.
“Let it be. Some things, again, are not in our control, and you can’t control them — even, you know, sometimes it feels like even by talking about it, you can’t really do anything.”
India vs Pakistan match looms under cloud
Amidst all these Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not submitted any official letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding their selective participation in the competition. If Pakistan continues on its stance, there might be sanctions, and it might also be banned from world cricket, and there might be other sanctions as well. Pakistan really found themselves in deep water after they did not find any support from the other ICC board members.
As per the rules and schedule team India will be travelling to Sri Lanka to play their match. Suryakumar Yadav will also be present at the toss as per the schedule on 15th February, and in casethe Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha does not arrive on toss at time, the appointed match referee will forfeit the match and give the two points to the Men in Blue.
India has won their last five meeting with Pakistan, and there has been complete domination over recent years from the Men in Blue. If the match happens with the brand of cricket India is playing they would surely be on the upper hand.
