Suryakumar Yadav's understanding of match situations, conditions and game management has brought greater awareness and stability to the Indian team in T20 cricket, says Sunil Gavaskar.
The aggressive opener sat out India’s last match against Namibia national cricket team after being hospitalised with a stomach infection.
With a looming threat of rain and global eyeballs locked in, this promises to be the most watched group-stage encounter of the tournament.
India and Pakistan have met eight times in the T20 World Cup so far, with India winning seven of those encounters, while Pakistan have managed just a solitary victory in 2021.
The uncertainty around the high-profile T20 World Cup encounter ended on Monday night after Pakistan confirmed it would take the field at the R Premadasa Stadium, bringing weeks of speculation over a possible boycott to a close.
Pakistan boasts a strong record in Colombo, winning six of their eight T20Is at the venue, with their only defeats coming during the 2012 World T20 against India and Sri Lanka.
India, the defending champions led by Suryakumar Yadav, enter the tournament as overwhelming favourites. Yet, even before a ball has been bowled, the event has been overshadowed by diplomatic tension and controversy.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan said Pakistan may reverse their decision to boycott the India match, but questioned their ability to challenge India.
The left-hander amassed 207 runs in three matches, highlighted by his maiden T20I century, to move up to 32nd position in the rankings released ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.
Speaking to the media outside Parliament on Monday, Akhilesh Yadav said, "The Indian government needs to reconsider its foreign policy and the direction in which it is headed."
