India captain Suryakumar Yadav has acknowledged that Pakistan may enjoy a slight advantage heading into Sunday’s high-voltage 2026 T20 World Cup encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium, citing their longer stay in Sri Lanka since the start of the tournament.
Speaking on the eve of the much-anticipated contest, Suryakumar reiterated sentiments earlier expressed by India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
“They have been playing some good cricket and have been here from the beginning, so perhaps they have a bit of an advantage. But our focus is firmly on what we need to do, not on them,” Suryakumar said.
A Familiar Debate on Home Comforts
The scheduling dynamic offers an intriguing contrast to the 2025 Champions Trophy, when Pakistan co-hosted the event with the UAE. On that occasion, India played all their matches in the Emirates and ultimately lifted the trophy, prompting suggestions in some quarters that avoiding travel between Pakistan and the UAE had worked in India’s favour.
In the current T20 World Cup edition, India are joint hosts with Sri Lanka. However, Pakistan are set to play all their fixtures in Colombo, including the final should they advance. While Pakistan’s opening two matches were staged at the Sinhalese Sports Club, the February 15 blockbuster against India will be held at the Premadasa Stadium. Pakistan officials have pointed out that they had not trained at the Premadasa prior to India’s arrival.
Ten Doeschate described the circumstances as a potential challenge but emphasised that India remain focused on execution.
“It’s going to be a challenge going to Colombo, where Pakistan have been for the last two weeks. But we are fully focused on bringing our best game to that fixture,” he noted earlier in the week.
Pakistan Downplay Advantage
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha dismissed suggestions that familiarity with the venue confers a decisive edge.
“We are based here and play all our matches in Colombo, but I don’t know how that’s an advantage,” Agha said. “We are used to the climate, perhaps that’s all. Ultimately, you have to play good cricket for all 40 overs. Just being based here doesn’t guarantee victory. Execution of plans will decide the outcome.”
As anticipation builds for one of cricket’s most intense rivalries, both teams appear determined to keep external narratives at bay and allow performance on the field to dictate the result.
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