India Breaks Silence on Pakistan’s Boycott U-Turn, Says “We Always Knew We Would Play”

New Delhi: The controversy surrounding the much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has finally taken a new turn, after Pakistan reversed its earlier decision to boycott the match. Following Pakistan’s sudden U-turn, the Indian camp has now reacted, stating that they were always confident the match would go ahead as scheduled.

The Indian team is currently in Delhi, preparing for its upcoming match against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 12. Ahead of the game, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the media during a pre-match press conference and spoke openly about Pakistan’s decision change.

“Good That the Game is On,” Says Indian Assistant Coach

Speaking to reporters, Ryan ten Doeschate welcomed the development and said the Indian team never changed its approach or preparation, despite the uncertainty surrounding the fixture.

“First of all, it is a good thing that the game is on. We never changed our preparation or our mindset thinking that the match wouldn’t happen. We always knew something would happen and we would play,” he said.

He added that although the official confirmation came a little late, the Indian team remained focused and unaffected by the off-field developments.

“We got the confirmation a bit late yesterday, but it doesn’t change much for us. We welcome another opportunity to play against a quality side. It’s good for the team,” he further stated.

Pakistan’s Boycott Drama and Government Intervention

The controversy began when Pakistan initially refused to play against India on February 15 in Colombo, reportedly supporting Bangladesh’s stance. According to reports, the Pakistani government had instructed the national team not to participate in the match against India.

However, after a high-level meeting involving the ICC, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam, Pakistan’s government reconsidered its decision and allowed the team to proceed with the fixture.

India Wants to Stay Away from Politics

Ten Doeschate made it clear that India wants to focus only on cricket and avoid getting involved in political matters.

“We will try to stay away from politics. We understand the sentiments and history between the two countries, but for us it is important to focus on cricket,” he said.

He also acknowledged that playing in Colombo could be challenging, particularly because Pakistan has been stationed there for the last few weeks, which might give them better familiarity with conditions.

High-Voltage Clash Set for February 15

With Pakistan officially confirming its participation, cricket fans can now look forward to the blockbuster India-Pakistan encounter on February 15. The match is expected to draw massive global attention, as it remains one of the most intense and highly anticipated rivalries in world cricket.