Shaheen Shah Afridi who is the fast bowler for Pakistan, has once again raised the level of tension regarding the rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket through some statements made after his team’s season-ending match with India at the Asia Cup 2025. In a press conference held in Lahore, Afridi accused the Indian players of violating the spirit of the game by their on-field behaviour and has therefore reignited some debate between both countries. All of this information is coming at a time when the Asian continent was shocked by many incidents that occurred during the historically played Asia Cup and continues to be the topic of discussion amongst both countries.

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The 2025 Asia Cup saw many strained relationships between India & Pakistan, especially in regards to their three matches. During their most recent match, Indian players chose to not shake the hands of their Pakistani opponents after their match, something that was considered an act of protest against the killings of three soldiers at Pahalgam. It is believed that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav initiated this action and sent a message of solidarity with the citizens of India, as well as Indian troops, regarding this tragic act. Afridi, however, condemned this action as being contrary to the fundamentals of respect and sportsmanship that should be upheld within cricket.

“People across the border have violated the spirit of sportsmanship. Our job is to play cricket, and that remains our focus. We will try to respond on the field,” Shaheen said.

Watch the video here;

Shaheen Afridi on India behaviour in Asia Cup:
“People across the border have violated the spirit of sportsmanship. Our job is to play cricket, and that remains our focus. We will try to respond on the field.”#ShaheenAfridi #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/EWxiZXgJGJ

— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) January 7, 2026

IND–PAK Tensions Spill Over Into T20 World Cup Build-Up

During the course of the Asia Cup 2025, actions on the field created a hostile environment, which led to controversy surrounding the no-handshake incident. The actions of Pakistan’s players became the subject of scrutiny for celebrating in a provocative manner, specifically Haris Rauf’s "jet crash" celebration and Sahibzada Farhan’s "firing rifle" mimic. These two incidents resulted in major backlash and were ultimately ruled as violations of the ICC Code of Conduct, illustrating that both teams had engaged in offensive conduct against one another, and created an even more tumultuous cricket relationship between the two countries.

Tension escalated even further after India beat Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup. The Indian side refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from the President of the Asian Cricket Council, and the Chairman of PCB Mohsin Naqvi (who is also the Interior Minister of Pakistan) did not appoint a substitute for the presentation. Consequently, there was no presentation of the trophy. Thus, the award ceremony concluded with Team India celebrating, but not being able to lift the trophy. The stage is now set for the next meeting between the two sides in the T20 World Cup on February 15, 2023, in Colombo.

Former Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour has been appointed as the batting coach of the Sri Lankan national team. The announcement, confirmed by Sri Lankan journalist Rex Clementine, comes ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Rathour previously served as India’s batting coach during Rahul Dravid’s tenure and was part of the support staff that guided the Men in Blue to their T20 World Cup victory in 2024. With extensive international experience, he brings valuable expertise to the Sri Lankan team.

According to reports, Rathour is expected to join Sri Lanka by January 15, at a crucial time as the team ramps up preparations for the tournament.

Also read-SL vs PAK, 1st T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

Sri Lanka are set to bring in former India batter Vikram Rathour as the national team’s batting coach in the lead-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Rathour, who served as India’s batting coach until 2024, is currently the assistant coach of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals. He is… pic.twitter.com/2hnLMx8jbu

— NewsWire 🇱🇰 (@NewsWireLK) January 7, 2026

The team recently announced an 18-member squad for a three-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting January 7. Sri Lanka have also confirmed the return of former captain Charith Asalanka to the T20 squad ahead of the World Cup. However, he will feature solely as a specialist batter.

When Dasun Shanaka was appointed T20I captain for the tri-series in Pakistan, it was decided that Asalanka would be relieved of captaincy duties to reduce pressure and focus on his batting form.

This series is part of Sri Lanka’s preparation plan to give players valuable match practice ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. As co-hosts, Sri Lanka will begin their campaign against Ireland on February 8, followed by matches against Oman, Australia, and Zimbabwe.

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Vikram Rathour's Coaching Journey

Vikram Rathour has had an impressive coaching career. He was first appointed India’s batting coach in 2019, and his contract was extended in 2024. During his tenure, India reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and won the 2024 T20 World Cup.

After leaving the Indian team setup in 2024, Rathour joined Rajasthan Royals as batting coach and assistant coach for the IPL 2025 season. As a player, the 56-year-old represented India as a top-order batter in six Tests and seven ODIs between 1996 and 1997.

Lasith Malinga Returns to Sri Lanka Support Staff

Apart from Rathour, Sri Lanka has also welcomed back legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga as a fast bowling consultant on a short-term basis. The Sri Lankan board announced on December 30 that Malinga will serve in this role for 40 days, effective from December 15.

With legends like Sanath Jayasuriya already serving as head coach, Sri Lanka’s coaching staff now has a strong mix of experience and cricketing knowledge.

Role in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup Preparation

Rathour is expected to join the Sri Lankan team by January 15. The board has already announced its preliminary squad, which will play a three-match T20I series against Pakistan starting January 7. This series forms a key part of their final preparations for the World Cup.

Sri Lanka’s Preliminary T20 World Cup Squad

Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew

Australian chief selector George Bailey has hinted at the possibility of Glenn Maxwell taking up wicketkeeping duties if Josh Inglis suffers an injury during the T20 World Cup. While Maxwell has never kept wickets at the international level, he has performed the role at the junior level and also kept wickets in a one-off match for Australia during the 2009 Hong Kong Super Sixes.

Bailey said that he has seen Maxwell keep wickets and feels that the 37-year-old has natural ability behind the stumps. He believes Maxwell’s experience could help Australia manage unexpected situations during a World Cup, where team balance often becomes a challenge.

“I’ve seen him do it. He’s a natural; he did it when he was younger. We’ve been in World Cups with one player short in certain positions. It always feels like you’ve got to give up something,” Bailey was quoted as saying to the cricket.au website. He added, “It’s the balance of those sort of day-to-day injuries where a player might just be missing for one game versus a more serious injury, and then how long that is, and can you carry someone?”

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Inglis is the only specialist wicketkeeper named in Australia’s provisional squad for the T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 9.

Could Glenn Maxwell's unique odyssey through international cricket lead him to taking the gloves if the moment calls for it in the T20 World Cup? 👀https://t.co/eY1ridHubh

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2026

Bailey on powerplay bowling options

George Bailey also spoke about the option of using left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann and spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly inside the powerplay. He said this is something Australia have not done much in the past, but both players have the skill to bowl early in the innings.

“[That] is something that we haven’t traditionally done a lot of. I think both those guys have got that skillset, so that allows you to create some space elsewhere to be able to line up certain bowlers and continue to keep Zamps (Zampa) in his space,” Bailey said.

Australia’s group details

Mitchell Marsh-led Australia have been placed in Group B of the T20 World Cup along with Ireland, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Oman. The team will play all their group-stage matches in Sri Lanka.

A major surprise came on Saturday morning when Shubman Gill was removed as vice-captain and dropped from India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. In his place, all-rounder Axar Patel was appointed vice-captain. The decision was taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after Gill’s poor run of form in recent white-ball internationals.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained the thinking behind the move and why Axar Patel was chosen for the role.
“Shubman was the vice-captain, but he's not in the team, so someone else had to be vice-captain. Before, when Shubman was not playing T20Is and was playing Test cricket, Axar was the vice-captain,” Agarkar said, explaining the decision.

Axar Patel’s past leadership experience also helped his case. He had earlier served as India’s vice-captain during the five-match T20I series against England in early 2025, which added weight to his selection ahead of the World Cup.

Gill Dropped, Suryakumar Continues as Captain

Gill, 26, has scored only 291 runs in his last 15 T20 matches at an average of 24.25, which ultimately led to him being dropped from the squad. However, Suryakumar Yadav was retained as captain despite similar concerns about his recent form. The T20 specialist has managed just 244 runs in his last 22 innings in the format, without scoring a single fifty.

See Also: Why Yashasvi Jaiswal was dropped from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad: Explained

India will also play five home T20Is against New Zealand from January 21, which will be their final international series before the World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka and will feature 20 teams. India goes into the event as defending champions after beating South Africa in a thrilling final in Barbados in 2024.

India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026:

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Axar Patel (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in the first week of January 2026. According to a report by news agency PTI, the senior men’s selection committee will name the squad for both the five-match T20I series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup on the same day.

A BCCI source quoted by PTI confirmed that the squad selected for the New Zealand T20Is will also serve as India’s final squad for the global event. This makes the upcoming home series against New Zealand India’s last international assignment before the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.

India’s World Cup campaign will begin on February 7 in Mumbai against the USA. The Men in Blue will then face Namibia on February 12 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, followed by a high-profile clash against co-hosts Sri Lanka on February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. India’s final group-stage match will be against the Netherlands on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

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Suryakumar set to lead as uncertainty surrounds Shubman Gill’s place

Suryakumar Yadav is expected to continue as India’s T20I captain despite recent criticism over his batting form. While his run-scoring has dipped, his leadership record in the shortest format remains strong, making a change in captaincy highly unlikely so close to the tournament.

However, questions remain over the future of vice-captain Shubman Gill in T20Is. Gill, who leads India in Tests and ODIs, has struggled for consistency in the shortest format, and his place in the squad is reportedly under scrutiny. If selectors decide to move on, Yashasvi Jaiswal, part of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad, could be a strong contender for his spot.

India will head into the 2026 T20 World Cup as defending champions, having lifted the title in 2024 with a memorable seven-run victory over South Africa in the final.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has openly criticized Suryakumar Yadav’s poor batting form over the past few months. The Indian captain has managed only 119 runs in his last 10 T20I innings, with an average of 13.22, a phase that Chopra believes Suryakumar must overcome given his importance to the team.

Chopra said skippers do not reduce their consciousness to make runs, especially as a top-order batsman. He also explained that it is not only about managing tactics and leading your team on the field but a whole lot more; additionally, consistent run scoring should be expected from anyone batting within the top four batting order.

The former India opener also raised concerns about Suryakumar’s lack of big scores in recent times. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 set to begin on February 7, Chopra feels that the Indian captain’s form in the shortest format is becoming a serious concern.

Chopra Calls for Runs From India’s Top Order

“You are the team's captain, but a captain's job is not just to do the toss and manage the bowlers. It's not just about making the strategy. If you bat in the top four, your primary role is to score runs. It's been many matches. If you have an average of 14 in 17 innings and the strike rate is also not very good, you don't have a single fifty and have crossed 25 just twice, it's been a problem on either side of the IPL,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

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Chopra also spoke about the struggles of vice-captain and opener Shubman Gill, who has also found it tough in the T20 format. Gill has scored just four runs, including a duck, in the first two matches of the ongoing five-match series against South Africa. Chopra said that both senior batters need to step up before the World Cup. “If you are playing at No. 3 or No. 4 and are not scoring runs, and they aren't being scored consistently and over a long period of time, you won't be that confident when you start the [T20] World Cup. So, Suryakumar Yadav, the captain, and Shubman Gill, the vice-captain, scoring runs is absolutely imperative,” he added.

India are currently playing a five-match T20I series against South Africa, where both Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill have struggled so far. The pair have scored only 21 runs across four innings in the first two matches. The third T20I will be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on December 14, and India will be hoping for a turnaround from their key batters in the remaining games.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and JioStar have denied reports of any fallout between them. Some media reports had claimed that their four-year India media-rights deal could end early. These reports said that JioStar, run by Reliance Industries, had informed the ICC that it could not continue for the remaining two years. The news created confusion among fans and industry watchers.

If those reports were true, JioStar would have stopped as the official broadcaster for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The reports also suggested that JioStar would walk away from other events under the same media-rights cycle. This raised concerns about how ICC tournaments would be shown in India. Many feared it could affect viewers and advertisers.

However, both the ICC and JioStar have clearly said that these reports are wrong. They confirmed that their agreement has not changed in any way. The partnership is still active and working as planned. The clarification was issued to stop the spread of false information.

ICC and JioStar Issue Joint Statement

“The International Cricket Council (ICC) and JioStar have noted recent media reports concerning the status of the ICC's media rights agreement in India. These reports do not reflect the position of either organization. The existing agreement between the ICC and JioStar remains fully in force, and JioStar continues as the ICC's official media rights partner in India. Any suggestion that JioStar has withdrawn from the agreement is incorrect,” the statement read, as quoted by NDTV Sports.

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In another joint statement, the ICC and JioStar said that their $3 billion media rights deal remains fully intact. Both sides said they are committed to providing smooth and high-quality coverage of ICC events for Indian fans. This came after reports claimed that JioStar was thinking of leaving the deal due to financial losses. “JioStar is fully committed to honour its contractual obligations in letter and spirit. Both organizations remain focused on delivering uninterrupted, world-class coverage of upcoming ICC events to fans across India, including the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, one of the sport's most anticipated global tournaments. Preparations for these events are progressing exactly as planned, and there is no impact on viewers, advertisers, or industry partners. ICC and JioStar, as long-term commercial partners, maintain regular communication on operational, commercial and strategic matters focused on the role the partnership can play in growing the sport,” the report added.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will begin on February 7. Pakistan will play the Netherlands in the opening match in Colombo. The final of the tournament is scheduled for March 8.

Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha believes that the national squad will not see major changes before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will take place from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka. He feels the team will look very similar to the current lineup, as players have already been assigned clear roles in the 20-over format.

Agha explained that every member of the squad has been given a specific responsibility over the past months, and he expects them to continue fulfilling these roles as the tournament approaches. He expressed confidence in the current combination and hopes the team will carry forward the momentum built recently.

The Pakistan skipper also spoke about his larger ambitions as a leader and shared his dream of winning both upcoming white-ball World Cups. While he was all praise for the direction the team is taking, he did say that there is scope for improvement.

Salman Ali Agha Aims for Back-to-Back World Cup Glory

Agha said on the PCB podcast, "In my personal opinion, I don't see any major changes in the national T20 squad before the World Cup. I think the current combination we have will be the one we will have in the World Cup. Every player has been given a specific role in recent months, and with that, the team has moved forward." He added that Pakistan need to continue developing to reach the level expected by fans worldwide.

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He further shared his long-term vision: "I want us to win the 2026 T20 World Cup and then the 2027 ODI World Cup. Winning both World Cups is my dream; if it happens, I will be very happy… The team is on the right track, but there is still room for improvement. We want Pakistan to reach the level where everyone hopes to see it." Pakistan have played several T20I series recently, and for the 2026 T20 World Cup, they are grouped with India, Namibia, Netherlands and USA, with all their matches scheduled in Sri Lanka.

Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to host the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) likely to announce the full schedule soon. As per The Indian Express, top BCCI officials held a meeting recently and decided that this time the World Cup will be played in fewer cities compared to the 2023 ODI World Cup. Each selected venue is likely to host around six matches to ensure better scheduling and management.

The BCCI has shortlisted five major Indian cities; Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai, for the men’s T20 World Cup. Apart from India, three stadiums in Sri Lanka will also host games, though the names of those venues are yet to be finalized. The joint hosting of the T20 World Cup marks a strong partnership between India and Sri Lanka in organizing global cricket tournaments.

There is still uncertainty over whether Bengaluru and Lucknow will be added as venues. The Indian board has already ruled out the grounds that hosted matches during the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup, meaning Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Indore, and Navi Mumbai will not be part of the 2026 tournament’s hosting lineup.

India-Pakistan and Semi-final Venue Decisions

The ICC noted that Sri Lanka will play in Colombo if the team qualifies for the semifinals. If Pakistan makes it to the final, it will be at a neutral venue. The Indian board also confirmed that the highly awaited game on the group-stage between India and Pakistan will be at Colombo, following a prior agreement between the BCCI and PCB.

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Both boards had agreed that India and Pakistan would not travel to each other’s countries for future tournaments, opting instead to play on neutral grounds. The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is expected to commence early in the year, and the BCCI has already submitted its proposed schedule to the global cricketing body for approval.

There is a strong possibility that Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka in January 2026, with discussions currently underway between the two cricket boards. If finalized, the series could see Pakistan play three T20 internationals in Colombo on January 8, 10, and 12. However, sources have indicated that the final schedule will be confirmed only after resolving certain pending matters.

This proposed series could further complicate the issue of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for Pakistani players participating in the Big Bash League (BBL). The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had previously suspended players’ NOCs after the Asia Cup, and with a January series on the cards, several players might be forced to miss part of the Australian league.

The BBL is scheduled from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026, with seven Pakistani players lined up to participate. Babar Azam is set to play for the Sydney Sixers, Mohammad Rizwan and Hassan Khan for Melbourne Renegades, Shaheen Afridi for Brisbane Heat, Hasan Ali for Adelaide Strikers, Haris Rauf for Melbourne Stars, and Shadab Khan for Sydney Thunder. While Babar and Rizwan are currently not in Pakistan’s T20I setup, both could make a return ahead of the T20 World Cup. Shadab, who is recovering from injury, and Shaheen remain key figures in the national side.

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Meanwhile, Pakistan’s immediate focus remains on their upcoming home season. They are set to host Sri Lanka for three ODIs from November 11 to 15, followed by a proposed T20 tri-series from November 17 to 29 involving Afghanistan. However, with tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalating, the latter’s participation is now uncertain, and PCB may need to find a replacement team.

The January tour will also serve as crucial preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which Sri Lanka will co-host. For Pakistan, the series could provide an ideal opportunity to acclimatize to local conditions ahead of the mega event.