Former opener Aakash Chopra criticised Pakistan after the team threatened to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India. The two arch-rivals are scheduled to play in a Group A match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 7.

A new controversy has now emerged over the high-profile clash. The Pakistani government announced on Sunday that the Men in Green will take part in the ICC event but will not play the match against India.

Chopra pointed out Pakistan’s “hypocrisy,” noting that the announcement came on the same day as Pakistan’s U19 World Cup 2026 match against India.

Also read -Watch: Pakistan unveil T20 World Cup 2026 official Kit amid match boycott controversy vs India

Aakash Chopra Calls Out Pakistan Over T20 World Cup 2026 Boycott

Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra wrote on X:

"Pakistan deciding not to play against India in an ICC event ON the day Pakistan played against India in an ICC event. HYPOCRISY ki spelling sahi hai?"

Pakistan deciding not to play against India in an ICC event ON the day Pakistan played against India in an ICC event.
HYPOCRISY ki spelling sahi hai?

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 1, 2026

The T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. All of Pakistan’s games will be played in Sri Lanka. Both India and Pakistan will start their campaigns on February 7. India will face the United States at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, while Pakistan will play the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

Chopra Trolls Fan After India U19 Win Over Pakistan

Aakash Chopra also made a separate post on X to highlight that Pakistan did not boycott their U19 World Cup 2026 match against India. A fan mocked him, calling U19 cricket “irrelevant.”

The 48-year-old replied sharply:

"Mat bhejte team phir. Haar gaye toh Angoor Khatte hain…" (Don’t send the team then. The grapes are sour because you lost.)

Mat bhejte team phir. Haar gaye toh Angoor Khatte hain… https://t.co/Nm9KEZijVo

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 1, 2026

In the U19 match, India successfully defended a 253-run target against Pakistan at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. Pakistan were bowled out for 194 and were eliminated from the tournament.

India U19 will now face Afghanistan in the semifinal at the Harare Sports Club, Harare, on Wednesday, February 4.

The former Indian opening batter, Aakash Chopra, has pointed out that South Africa’s death bowling would be a massive issue heading into the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. They ended as the runners-up in the previous edition of the competition, losing the final to India at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

South Africa is placed in Group D, where they begin their campaign on February 09 against Canada before facing Afghanistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Next, they will be up against New Zealand on February 14 before locking horns with the United Arab Emirates four days later.

See Also: “They don’t…”- Former India captain reacts to PCB’s threat of boycotting T20 World Cup 2026

“Death bowling might be a concern because Kagiso Rabada is not your gun death bowler, nor are Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, and Marco Jansen. They have a lot of fast-bowling options, but this team does not have too many who bowl well or take wickets at the death.” Chopra expressed in a video that he shared on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra points out death bowling as South Africa’s weakness before T20 WC 2026

The Rainbow Nation will be under the leadership of Aiden Markram, where the eyes will be on Dewald Brevis, the middle-order batter, along with Kagiso Rabada, who will lead the bowling department of the national side.

“They don't have genuine wicket-takers in the spin department because we are not seeing Tabraiz Shamsi here. Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, or Aiden Markram - spin looks 50-50. You need a little more depth and wicket-taking ability in spin in Indian conditions, which this team lacks.” Chopra addressed.

“When we saw them playing last time, although it was a bilateral series, so I don't know whether one should take it seriously or not, the unit is slightly up and down in the batting order. The form is there at times and not there on other occasions. A slight inconsistency remains with this team. Inconsistency is a bit of a problem.” The former Indian opener concluded in the same video.

Former India cricketer and noted commentator Aakash Chopra has openly backed Shreyas Iyer after the Mumbai batter was left out of the playing XI for the fourth T20I between India and New Zealand in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. Chopra questioned the rationale behind the team management’s selection choices, suggesting that excluding a proven batter like Iyer was unnecessary. He stressed that Iyer’s presence in the middle order would have added stability and experience, and including him would not have disrupted the team’s balance in any way.

Chopra further highlighted that India effectively went into the match with one batter short, which could have been avoided with Iyer’s inclusion. He felt that such decisions place undue pressure on the rest of the batting lineup, especially in a high-intensity T20 contest. According to Chopra, players like Iyer, who have consistently performed in pressure situations, deserve clearer communication regarding their roles. His comments sparked discussion around selection consistency and the importance of backing established performers in the shortest format.

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"Playing Shreyas Iyer wouldn’t have harmed anyone…instead going in a batter short. Also, batting first to challenge the bowlers in the second innings (dew expected) wouldn’t have been a bad idea either… #IndvNZ," Aakash Chopra's tweet read. 

Playing Shreyas Iyer wouldn’t have harmed anyone…instead going in a batter short. Also, batting first to challenge the bowlers in the second innings (dew expected) wouldn’t have been a bad idea either… #IndvNZ

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 28, 2026

New Zealand beat India by 50 runs in 4th T20I

After Tilak Varma was forced to withdraw from the India vs. New Zealand T20I series due to injury, Shreyas Iyer was brought in as an alternate. Unfortunately, he is still waiting for an opportunity; his chances seem slim for the final T20I of the series at Trivandrum. Sports broadcaster Aakash Chopra opined about the team's composition, saying that India made an error in judgment when they chose to bowl first; had they batted first, they would have placed pressure on the NZ bowlers, especially due to the dew factor being the significant decider later in the match.

New Zealand exploited the conditions by scoring 215 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs after being inserted to bat by India. Tim Seifert led all scorers with 62 runs from 36 balls; Devon Conway contributed 44 runs to the score off 23 balls; Daryl Mitchell added 39 not out off 18 balls. As a result, India was all out for 165 runs in 18.4 overs (despite the best efforts of Shivam Dube, who scored an impressive 65 runs in 23 balls); this gave New Zealand their second consecutive T20I win over India (by 50 runs). Mitchell Santner led New Zealand's bowling attack with figures of 3 wickets for 26 runs.

The former Indian opening batter, Aakash Chopra, has reflected on the future of the Asia Cup, as the tournament seems to have lost its relevance after the day-night difference in skills between India and the other sides. Chopra remains worried about the future of the event, which seems to have lost its charm and sharpness.

India won the Asia Cup 2025 against Pakistan in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, during a modest chase, where they completed the runs in the second innings despite being 20/3. Chopra also remarked how the Pakistan board has started provoking the Bangladesh side.

See Also: Watch: “Neither here nor…”- Aakash Chopra reflects on Sanju Samson’s form ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

“Bye Asia Cup!! Yes, the Asia Cup is getting a goodbye. This is what I feel that the Asia Cup is not going to happen from now on. Mohsin Naqvi has already escaped with the trophy. India and Pakistan are there, but they don’t play each other at all. So, that issue is already there. They have also provoked Bangladesh to take the same stand against them.” Chopra expressed in a video on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Aakash Chopra drops bold statement on Asia Cup future 

The renowned commentator reckoned that BCCI should look to invite Sri Lanka and a few more teams to arrange a five-team event in the future, which will be a massive entertainer, perhaps more than the Asia Cup.

Watch the video here: 

Has the Asia Cup lost its relevance? Will there be an Asia Cup in the near future? #Aakashvani #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/8VVBFOwKEA

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 27, 2026

“Pakistan talked a lot that if India doesn’t come to play in Pakistan, then they won’t come either. But they did it anyway. But with the incident in Bangladesh, the Asia Cup is getting irrelevant. The last Asia Cup 2025 was about a poor advertisement. India was at the top, and others were nowhere near. So, if there is no standard, then the BCCI may not play it!!” Chopra addressed.

“It’s not the first time that the Asia Cup won’t happen due to political reasons. It has happened even in the past. Now, whose loss will it be is the question. The Asian blokes need to think of it. I am telling you, call Sri Lanka, one of Australia, or whoever is free, and play a five-team tournament. The fun will be massive.” The former opener concluded. 

Sanju Samson has overall smashed 1048 runs in 47 innings of the shortest format at an average of 24.37 and a strike rate of 147.60, thanks to three centuries and as many half-centuries at the best score of 111 runs. In the ongoing series against New Zealand, he has accumulated only 16 runs in three games, including a first-ball duck.

This has raised speculation that Samson would be playing the last two games against the Kiwis, which is close to the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, beginning on February 07. The former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra, has reflected on the Kerala batter’s form.  

See Also: Know dates, timings, and venues for T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches

“I think the Indian team felt guilty of dropping home. So, they didn’t drop him. They said, " We’ll play him, but we will play him at a number which is not natural to him. So, Samson continued to play, but he got chances, but not the kind of chances. Then, a pivot happened. And suddenly, he became an opener.” Chopra has expressed in an ESPNcricinfo interaction.

Aakash Chopra explains why Sanju Samson loses T20I form

Sanju batted in the middle order during the Asia Cup 2025, along with the previous five-match T20I series against Australia down under. On the other hand, he returned to the opening spot in the Kiwi series, where he had failed to get the form.

Watch the video here: 

'Samson neither here nor there' - @cricketaakash #TimeOut | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/xeZBPXviVI

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 27, 2026

“Now the question is, why are we actually discussing this now? Because if he had opened all the way from the Asia Cup till now, either he would have been dropped by now, or he would have been a permanent member by now. So, he is neither here nor there. Because he played, but in the middle order. The number he was given out very close to the World Cup is where Ishan Kishan’s batting has been priceless.” Chopra addressed.

Ishan is doing well, World Cup around the world, and you suddenly don’t have the patience to give him five games or even more, because you think that he actually deserves. It’s unfortunate. Gill also feels the same. Because you replaced him with Sanju, who might not be there.”

During the Big Bash League (BBL)2025/26 clash between the Melbourne Renegades and the Sydney Thunder, the former franchise decided to retire their wicket-keeper batter, Mohammed Rizwan, who became the first overseas player in this league to be retired out. The plan was to score quickly.  

This is when the former Indian opening batter, Aakash Chopra, has wondered if the decision to retire out should be made a norm, given it hurts the team on most occasions. He questions whether the team has the right to not complete the full quota of four overs for the bowlers, and why couldn’t the same be done with the batters?

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“Mohammad Rizwan has retired from the Big Bash League. He was playing slowly, and they said that they would send someone else in his place. The hope was to see someone else scoring quickly. And I am to make it normal because when a bowler does not bowl, you don’t actually fulfill his quota of 4 overs. You make others bowl in that place.”

Aakash Chopra asks retired-out to be normalized

The renowned commentator has also shown his concern over the form of Rizwan and Babar Azam, the two Pakistan veteran batters, ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, and wondered if they should be picked in the national side.

Watch the video here: 

Will Babar and Rizwan be picked for Pakistan's T20 World Cup Squad? #Aakashvani
Footage courtesy: #BBL #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/8PXzsTyEVa

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 12, 2026

“Why don’t you treat the batter in the same way? Why does it become embarrassing for the batters to be retired? If you’re playing slowly, then the team has every right to bring you back to the pavilion and send someone new. And it has now happened twice in the Big Bash League this season.” Chopra addressed.

“Mohammad Rizwan has not scored at all as his average is around 20 with a strike rate of nearly 100 with no 50 in this tournament, and he has only smashed one fifty in eight innings for his 167 runs. This is the same case with Babar Azam, who has an average of 25. Even after two fifties, he has only two sixes in over 150 deliveries.” The former opener concluded.

The left-handed middle-order batter of the Indian side, Tilak Varma’s injury ahead of the home T20I series against New Zealand and the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2026 has put the BCCI in a tough position. The southpaw is India’s second leading run-getter in the shortest format after Abhishek Sharma since the beginning of 2025.

In that case, the former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra, has suggested the name of Shreyas Iyer as Varma’s replacement. He also reckoned that Shubman Gill is likely not get his chance, having struggled with the bat in the last few T20I series.

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“Who can it be? Shreyas Iyer. ‘Sarpanch’ sahab should be picked automatically. He is already playing well and scored in the Vijay Hazare Trophy too. Even when Iyer was not picked in the Asia Cup, it felt slightly unfair, but it was understandable. But there is an opportunity for a middle-order role here. He is also an experienced player and set the IPL on fire.” Chopra expressed on his Twitter account.

Aakash Chopra names Shreyas Iyer as Tilak Varma’s T20I replacement

Iyer, who has collected 1104 runs in 47 T20I innings at a strike rate of 136.12 with eight fifties, has dominated the IPL 2025 for the Punjab Kings with 604 runs in 17 innings at a strike rate of 175.07, thanks to six half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 97 runs.

“Riyan Parag could also be one candidate, and he was part of the T20I side before. He can also bowl, and if India is looking for an all-rounder or multi-skilled player, Riyan Parag could be that guy. But my vote is for Shreyas Iyer. I would place Parag at No.2. Jitesh Sharma might have an outside chance.” Chopra shed light.

“Tilak faced severe pain in his abdomen today (Wednesday). He was rushed to a hospital in Rajkot, where various scans were done, and reports were sent to doctors at the COE. Doctors have advised him to undergo surgery, which will take three to four weeks for him to recover. Chances of playing the entire T20I against New Zealand look bleak.” The reports of the Indian Express address. 

The cricket world was shocked after former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn was reported to be seriously ill and placed in an induced coma. He fell sick on Boxing Day and was admitted to the Gold Coast University Hospital, where he is being treated for meningitis.

Former teammate Adam Gilchrist shared an update on Martyn’s health during a Big Bash League match between Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers. Gilchrist said Martyn is still in the hospital, but added that recent medical tests have shown positive signs over the last 24 hours.

Gilchrist also thanked fans for their support and prayers. He said there has been a lot of love for Martyn, calling him a great player and a wonderful person, and expressed hope that he continues to recover.

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#cricket 🏏 Former Australian Test star Damien Martyn is making progress in his battle against meningitis, with close friend Adam Gilchrist providing an update ▶️ https://t.co/L2z4IYQ2g2 pic.twitter.com/Pw21HjGvkt

— The Daily Telegraph (@dailytelegraph) January 1, 2026

Adam Gilchrist thanked fans and well-wishers on behalf of Damien Martyn and his family for the love and support during this difficult time.

“On behalf of Damien Martyn, a great friend and former teammate, and on behalf of his family and his partner, Amanda, thank you to everyone for the heartfelt love, wishes, and care,” Gilchrist said. He added that Martyn’s family truly appreciated the concern shown by people.

Gilchrist also shared that he had played with Martyn at the under-17 level, as well as for Western Australia and Australia, and described him as a close friend.

Former cricketers send support messages

Several former cricketers wished Martyn a speedy recovery. Former Australia Test player Rodney Hogg said, “We wish him all the best. This is shocking news.”

Former teammate Darren Lehmann shared a message on X, saying, “Lots of love and prayers to Damien Martyn. Stay strong and keep fighting. Love to the family.”

Ex-Western Australia teammate Ryan Campbell also posted his support, saying he was sending love and best wishes to Martyn and his family.

Thoughts and prayers to Damien Martyn and his family. Keep fighting bud!

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) December 31, 2025

Thoughts and prayers with @damienmartyn for a speedy recovery. You’re a fighter, champ…and all of us are rooting for you. Godspeed 🙌

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 31, 2025

Thoughts are with @damienmartyn

Prayers to see him bounce back🙏

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 31, 2025

Cricket world prays for Martyn’s recovery

Since the news of Martyn’s serious condition came out, there has been concern across the cricket world and among fans. Former cricketers such as Dale Steyn, Ravichandran Ashwin, Aakash Chopra, VVS Laxman, and Michael Vaughan also wished for the 54-year-old’s quick recovery.

The former star member of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Aakash Chopra, has analyzed the squad for the three-time champions heading into the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He raised a few concerns over the batting department and discussed the various combinations that could be put on.

Kolkata, who came into the auction with a massive purse, went on to sign the star all-rounder, Cameron Green, along with the left-arm pacer of Bangladesh, Mustafizur Rahman, and the Sri Lankan speedster, Matheesha Pathirana. Chopra decoded the squad.

See Also: "Bad business..."- Cricket Australia breaks silence on MCG surface for 4th Ashes 2025/26 Test

“A topic of discussion would be which four overseas players would play. Among the four overseas players, if they make a keeper-batter open, who will bat in the lower order? That is a big question. They have generally had a keeper opener. They have taken Tim Seifert and Finn Allen this time.” Aakash Chopra expressed on his YouTube channel.

Akash Chopra decodes KKR squad for IPL 2026

Kolkata perhaps had the worst campaign for any side in the IPL that won the trophy in the previous edition. The Knight Riders will hope to turn it around in 2026.

“If I make Narine open with Rahane, play Cameron Green at No. 3, Angkrish Raghuvanshi as a keeper at No. 4 or else get Tejasvi to keep, then Rinku at No. 5, Ramandeep at No. 6, and Rovman Powell at No. 7 or vice versa, and then Tejasvi, how is it looking now? It looks like a better team. You can use Tejasvi if required. If you don’t need him, you can get Anukul Roy.” Chopra addressed.

“They already had 16 overs of bowling. They now have 22-23 overs of bowling. They already had Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine, and Varun Chakaravarthy. Then two or three overs from Cameron Green and four overs from Matheesha Pathirana/Mustafizur Rahman. This is a gun bowling unit.” The former opener of India concluded.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for IPL 2026:

Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Matheesha Pathirana, Tejasvi Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Mustafizur Rahman, Sarthak Ranjan, Daksh Kamra, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep

The former Indian opening batter, Aakash Chopra, has picked his 15-member squad for the national side of the T20 World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The defending champions will head into the ICC event for the very first time in the absence of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in more than a decade.

Suryakumar Yadav, the T20I captain of the Blue Brigade, is yet to lose a T20I series and may head into the T20 World Cup if he wins the upcoming T20I series at home against New Zealand just before the campaign. Chopra had no hesitation in retaining the same top order.

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“The fact is that Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Sanju Samson will be the three openers part of this team. I have picked Sanju Samson as the second wicketkeeper and an opening option. Abhishek Sharma, let's not talk about it, because I feel he could be the highest run-scorer of the World Cup.” Chopra expressed on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra names India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad

The renowned commentator shed light on how Varun Chakravarthy has overtaken Kuldeep Yadav to be their first-choice spinner in the playing eleven and is likely to play ahead of the UP-born if the management picks one specialist spinner.

“If you are wondering why Shubman Gill has been picked, if you have appointed someone the vice-captain, you won't pivot that soon. I am not going to put my neck on the line and say that Shubman will be the vice-captain. The team might leave the vice-captain slot open, or they might appoint Hardik Pandya to keep their options open.” Chopra highlighted.

“After that, Jasprit Bumrah. Let's not discuss. Why waste time? Arshdeep Singh, let's not discuss. Why waste time? Then Varun Chakaravarthy. There is no discussion. Why should we waste your and my time? I feel Varun Chakaravarthy could be the highest wicket-taker of this tournament.” The former KKR batter informed.

Aakash Chopra’s 15-member squad of India for T20 World Cup 2026

Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Surya Kumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakraborty, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Harshit Rana.