India captain Suryakumar Yadav has shared his views on playing bilateral series with Pakistan. India and Pakistan are gearing up to face each other in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday (February 15) in Colombo.

The two arch-rivals have not played a bilateral series against each other since the 2012-13 season when Pakistan visited India for a short limited-overs series. On the other hand, the last Test series between them took place way back in 2007.

It's not in our hands: Suryakumar Yadav

Since 2013, they have faced each other only in ICC competitions and the Asia Cup. However, the resumption of bilateral ties between the two cricket boards recently became the talk of the town. According to media reports, the PCB demanded demanded ICC resumption of bilateral series between India and Pakistan in order to end their boycott for the upcoming match.

However, the demand was rejected by the ICC and the PCB eventually agreed to play the match as well. And as the bitter rivals gear up for the high-voltage clash, Suryakumar Yadav was asked about the situation. In response, the India captain played it safe, saying:

"It's not in our hands (playing bilateral with Pakistan). When I'm at the position where I can take that call I'll let you know."

Bilateral ties deteriorate further:

Any bilateral series between India and Pakistan in near future looks highly unlikely. Things have only deteriorated between the two countries since the Pahalgam terror attack last year and the subsequent military action.

Both the BCCI and the PCB have also outrightly refused to travel to each other's countries. While India have not traveled to Pakistan since 2008, the latter did visit India in 2023 for the World Cup. However, the PCB decided against visiting India for the ongoing T20 World Cup and the ICC had to allocate Sri Lanka as the venue for Pakistan's matches.

India start as favourites:

Team India will be starting the game against Pakistan as favourites. Both India and Pakistan have won their opening two games of the tournament and will be looking to extend the winning run. While both the teams are in good form at the moment, the overall record favours India.

India have won 7 of the 8 matches that they have played against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. Their only defeat against the Men in Green came in 2021. India also defeated Pakistan three times in the Asia Cup last year.