The mother of all cricket rivalries is set to unfold at the R Premadasa Stadium tonight, but before a ball is bowled in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash between India and Pakistan, the first flashpoint has already emerged—and it won't involve a cricket bat.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav will not shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart Salman Agha at the toss, multiple sources confirmed on Sunday, maintaining the contentious stance first adopted during last year's Asia Cup. The decision extends a diplomatic freeze that has spilled from political tensions onto the cricket field .
The Handshake Controversy: A Symbol of Strained Relations
The no-handshake policy, which saw Indian players refrain from formal post-match pleasantries with Pakistani opponents during the Asia Cup, continues following "Operation Sindoor" and ongoing hostilities between the neighbouring nations since May 2025 . When asked about the protocol on the eve of the match, Suryakumar Yadav remained characteristically tight-lipped.
"Wait for 24 hours. Eat well, sleep well, we will see tomorrow," the Indian skipper had quipped, refusing to break the suspense . Pakistan captain Salman Agha offered a similarly guarded response: "We will see it tomorrow."
The move hasn't escaped criticism. Former India batsman turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar took to social media to voice his disapproval, calling it "such a silly thing that India has started. It's unbecoming of a nation like ours. Either play properly within the spirit of the game or don't play at all" .
High Stakes at Premadasa
Beyond the diplomatic undercurrents, tonight's Group A encounter carries enormous cricketing significance. Both teams enter unbeaten—India having dispatched the USA and Namibia, while Pakistan overcame the Netherlands and the USA, albeit in less convincing fashion . Victory guarantees Super 8s qualification; defeat leaves progression dependent on other results.
India boast a formidable T20 World Cup record against their arch-rivals, having won seven of eight meetings. The only Pakistan victory came in 2021, a 10-wicket mauling that remains fresh in memory . Overall across 16 T20Is, India have won 12, Pakistan three, with one tie .
Tactical Battles Within the War
Several key matchups could decide the contest. Jasprit Bumrah faces Sahibzada Farhan, who struck the Indian pace spearhead for three sixes during the Asia Cup—a rare feat . At the other end, Shaheen Shah Afridi's new-ball duel with Abhishek Sharma, returning after illness, promises fireworks. Abhishek has smashed more first-over sixes than any batter since his T20I debut and wasn't dismissed by Shaheen during their Asia Cup encounters .
In the middle overs, Pakistan's mystery spinner Usman Tariq—touted as a potential X-factor—could test India's vulnerability against spin, exposed somewhat against Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus . But as Manjrekar noted, "that's also a small ammunition, not like a brahmastra" .
Weather and Toss loom Large
Colombo's unpredictable weather adds another layer of intrigue. Forecasts suggest a 36-62 percent chance of rain during match hours, with a low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal. There is no reserve day for this group-stage fixture—a washout would hand both teams a point apiece .
The R Premadasa pitch traditionally favours spinners, with 51 of 83 wickets in recent white-ball matches falling to slow bowlers, who concede at just 5.66 runs per over compared to 7.28 for seamers . Teams winning the toss are expected to bowl first, mindful of both the early assistance for bowlers and potential DLS interruptions .
The Bigger Picture
Tonight's encounter transcends cricket. It unfolds against a backdrop of political tension, administrative brinkmanship—the PCB initially threatened to boycott the tournament before reversing course—and lingering bitterness over last year's Asia Cup trophy presentation, where India refused to accept the trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi .
Yet amid the geopolitical undercurrents, 22 players will take the field at 7 PM IST, broadcast live on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar. The first indication of this match's temperament won't come with the first ball, but at the toss—when two captains meet, and one hand remains deliberately unextended .
