Virat Kohli camp breaks silence on Pakistan boycotting India clash in T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan's decision to boycott the India vs Pakistan match on February 15 in Colombo dropped like a bombshell on Sunday. They are fine to play the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 but will not face their archrival India for their group match fixture. The decision by the Pakistan government can push the Salman Ali Agha-led team into serious trouble in the near future, predicted Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma.

Sharma said that the cricket fans in Pakistan want to see the India vs. Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026, and the ICC can take serious steps to counter Pakistan's decision as well. So, the coach advises Pakistan to rethink their next step.

PCB is boycotting India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match

After discussions with the government and the Pakistan cricket officials, Pakistan suggested only boycotting their group stage match against Pakistan, which is scheduled to take place on February 15 in Colombo, which is a neutral venue between India and Pakistan.

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The government of Pakistan has been taking this stance to boycott their match against India only to show support for their fellow Asian neighbour, Bangladesh. The ejection of the Bangladesh cricket team came amid a challenging geopolitical decision.

When did Pakistan decide to take the step?

Bangladesh cricket officials, backed by the government of Bangladesh, refused to travel to India to play their T20 World Cup 2026 fixtures. They wanted to play their matches in Sri Lanka, but not in India. Declining the Bangladesh Cricket Board's application, the ICC named Scotland as their replacement for the tournament.

After which, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief held a meeting with their Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to evaluate the situation. On Sunday, it was announced that Pakistan will participate in the T20 World Cup 2026 but will not play against India.

Virat Kohli's childhood coach advises Pakistan to rethink about their decision

"This is very unfortunate and a very strange decision by Pakistan. First, they voted in favor of Bangladesh, that it should not come and play in India. Now, they too are speaking of backing out. This is very unfortunate, and Pakistan will have to suffer due to this," Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma said on Pakistan boycotting its match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

#WATCH | Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: On Pakistan to boycott its match against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma says, "This is very unfortunate and a very strange decision by Pakistan. First, they voted in favour of Bangladesh… pic.twitter.com/qdkTool5XX

— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2026

"The Pakistani public wanted to see their players play against India, so this will be a loss to them and their players. I think PCB will reconsider this...India is far ahead of Pakistan in cricket, but this is a political decision. They should think that if ICC takes action against them, it will be a loss for PCB. I am sure that they will reconsider their decision," he added.

Read More: India vs Pakistan cancelled: Full list of ICC tournament matches that were boycotted by teams