India to follow ICC protocol and travel to Sri Lanka despite Pakistan boycott of February 15 T20 World Cup game: Report

Team India will reportedly follow ICC protocol and travel to Sri Lanka, waiting for the match referee to formally call off the game.

Updated on: Feb 2, 2026, 09:03:22 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Despite the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) echoing the government’s decision to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 Group A fixture against India on February 15 in Colombo, Team India will reportedly follow ICC protocol and travel to Sri Lanka, waiting for the match referee to formally call off the game.

India are placed in Group A in T20 World Cup with Pakistan (PTI)

According to a report by news agency ANI, sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the Suryakumar Yadav-led side will travel to Colombo for the scheduled fixture regardless of PCB’s announcement. The team will adhere to all ICC-mandated procedures, including training as per schedule and attending a pre-match press conference at the R Premadasa Stadium.

“Team India will travel to Sri Lanka and follow ICC protocol. They will practise as scheduled, do the press conference, reach the stadium on time and wait for the match referee to call off the match,” a source said.

ALSO READ: ICC warns Pakistan of repercussions if it doesn’t change stance on India T20 World Cup match

As per ICC playing conditions, a walkover is awarded only if one team fails to present itself at the ground for the coin toss. Suryakumar is therefore expected to walk out for the toss, after which, if Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha does not appear, the match referee will award India a walkover and two points.

Pakistan’s players, who have been cleared to participate in the remainder of the T20 World Cup, learned of the India-match boycott through a social media post issued by the government.

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan grants approval to the Pakistan Cricket Team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the team shall not take the field in the match scheduled on 15 February 2026 against India,” the statement posted on X read.

The decision, conveyed through an official government announcement, is being viewed as a political protest linked to Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament after the ICC declined its request to shift matches from India to Sri Lanka citing security concerns.

The move has not gone down well with the ICC, which questioned the decision and warned that the boycott could invite punitive sanctions.

“The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country, as this decision is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem,” the global body said.

“While the ICC respects the role of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan,” it added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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