'Pakistan has not been good since 1947': Ganguly, Harbhajan and others back India before Pak face-off

Suryakumar Yadav’s India are all set to take on Salman Agha’s Pakistan in a high-voltage Group A clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday in Colombo. After weeks of off-field discussions between the ICC and PCB, the match will finally go ahead as planned. All eyes will be on how India’s strong batting line-up handles Pakistan’s spin attack on a pitch that could assist slower bowlers.

The much-awaited match at the R. Premadasa Stadium is also facing a rain threat, with forecasts predicting showers during the day and at night. However, weather reports suggest conditions might improve in the evening, but interruptions are still likely.

Both teams come into the contest with two wins each. India defeated the USA in their opener and then comfortably beat Namibia in New Delhi. Pakistan were tested by the Netherlands before registering a solid win over the USA. Historically, India have dominated Pakistan in T20 World Cups, winning seven of their eight meetings so far.

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Former India cricketers on IND vs PAK clash

Ahead of the big clash, several former Indian cricketers have backed India to continue their dominance. Former wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia said that T20 cricket can change in just one ball, so teams must stay alert. However, he added that the way India are playing in both batting and bowling, there is no reason to worry.

“The T20 format is such that the match can change in one single ball, so we have to be vigilant. But the way the Indian team is playing in terms of both batting and bowling, and the captain also leading from the front, so I don’t think we need to worry,” Mongia said.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly described the clash as “high voltage” and said such intensity has been missing in recent years. He called India a very powerful team and hoped they would perform well not just against Pakistan but throughout the World Cup.

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“It (the match) should be high voltage. There hasn’t been high voltage for the past few years. The quality of the match should be good. Hope it happens tomorrow. India is a very good team, a very powerful team, and we hope that it will play well tomorrow. Not just tomorrow but the entire World Cup,” Ganguly said.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: On India to play against Pakistan at the T20 Cricket World Cup, Former Indian Cricketer Sourav Ganguly says, "It (the match) should be high voltage. There hasn't been high voltage for the past few years. The quality of the match should be good. Hope… pic.twitter.com/iXDC71OA0P

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2026

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Ex-selector Kiran More also believes India will have the upper hand. He predicted an Indian win and praised Hardik Pandya as a big-match player. Former spinner Harbhajan Singh said that although Pakistan are strong, especially with their spinners in these conditions, he is confident India will play well and win.

“India is a very strong team. They will have an upper hand. I think India is going to win it. Hardik Pandya is a very good player. He is a big match player and in big occasions, he ensures India’s victory…,” More said.

“I’m hoping that India will play well in this game. Even though Pakistan is also a very strong team, especially in these conditions and with their spinners bowling really well. So I think it’s going to be a great game to watch. Hopefully India plays well and makes us all proud…,” Harbhajan said.

#WATCH | Colombo, Sri Lanka: On India-Pakistan upcoming match in T20 World Cup 2026, Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh says, "...I'm hoping that India will play well in this game. Even though Pakistan is also a very strong team, especially in these conditions and with… pic.twitter.com/Fk7Wis4Swm

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2026

Veteran cricketer Madan Lal said that while India vs Pakistan is always tense due to the history between the two nations since 1947, the most important match in any tournament is the final. He advised fans not to overreact emotionally and said if a team plays well, it will win.

“The most important match is the final one, not India vs Pakistan…. Though it has a very high viewership, and our relationship with Pakistan has not been good since 1947, so it becomes a more tense match… We don’t start abusing our players, breaking televisions… If you play well, you’ll win… If they don’t want to play, they can deny entire tournament… This will only harm Pakistan financially, because if the ICC bans them or doesn’t allow them to play cricket, would they able to pay their players…”

Former all-rounder Kedar Jadhav was very confident about India’s chances. He said India have always done well against Pakistan in World Cups and expects another strong performance.

“This is a high-voltage sporting event… India has always won against Pakistan in World Cup matches, and possibly tomorrow, the Indian team will yet again perform very well tomorrow… In the last match, Hardik Pandya played very well, including Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav… Be it Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy or Arshdeep Singh… the entire team has come together in a great form at the right time…,” Jadhav said.

#WATCH | Pimpri Chinchwad, Maharashtra | On India-Pakistan upcoming match in T20 World Cup 2026, former Indian cricketer Kedar Jadhav says, "This is a high-voltage sporting event... India has always won against Pakistan in World Cup matches, and possibly tomorrow, the Indian team… pic.twitter.com/tn6NlvXYGT

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2026