“Such matches should not happen” - Ex-Indian cricketer opens up on Bangladesh not willing to travel to India for T20 WC 2026

Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary has opined his views on Bangladesh not willing to travel to India for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, stating that sports shouldn’t be mixed with such serious matters.

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Speaking exclusively to news agency ANI, Tiwary asserted that while his stance remains unchanged, he added that the issue goes beyond the game of cricket. Though he is very clear with his personal opinion, he reckoned that the officials would continue to conduct the matches as per schedule. 

"When the Pahalgam terrorist attack happened, I had said that India should not play against Pakistan. Even though the government allowed it, my opinion was, and still is, that such matches should not happen," Tiwary told ANI.

"If any Indian is killed mercilessly in any country, whether it is Bangladesh, England, Australia or anywhere else, then India should not maintain sporting relations with that country," he added.

"Sports should not be mixed with such serious matters but these matches will still be conducted because games were allowed against Pakistan earlier. Even now, they will go ahead but my personal opinion is very clear, they should not play," he noted.

Bangladesh's participation in the mega event remains in doubt after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their venues from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had instructed the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad.

However, on Tuesday, January 13, the BCB announced that the apex body has requested them to reconsider their stance on their participation in the upcoming showpiece event. A few days ago, Bangladesh Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul revealed that Bangladesh players are not ready to travel to India to play in the World Cup due to the prevailing political tensions between the two nations.

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