Today, havans and pujas are being held across the country to pray for India’s victory against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. In different parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and every state, fans are praying for the victory of Team India. A devotee who came to the Shiva temple in Gorakhpur said, “Today we prayed to Mahadev for India’s victory.” A special puja was also performed in the Mahakaleshwar temple of Ujjain, during which fans were seen standing holding pictures of Team India players.

A person who had come to Deoghar in Jharkhand said, “I have prayed to Mahadev that India should score 200, take all 10 wickets of Pakistan and defeat Pakistan badly.” Another fan said, “Today is Shivratri and India vs Pakistan match, what could be better than this. I have prayed to Mahadev to cut off Shaheen Afridi and make Team India victorious.”

#WATCH | Deoghar, Jharkhand: On the occasion of #Mahashivratri 2026, devotees at Shree Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Mandir in Deoghar pray for India’s victory in the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, which is going to be held today.

Devotee Shubham Kumar Jha says, “Mahadev… pic.twitter.com/DZvuIXBMwW

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2026

#WATCH | Varanasi, UP: Fans perform hawan and pooja for Team India’s victory ahead of the India-Pakistan match today in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. pic.twitter.com/ozmKD1XdVv

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2026

In the famous temples of different states of Uttar Pradesh, prayers were offered for the victory of Team India in the India vs Pakistan match. In Bihar too, people performed havan and wished for victory. Devotees performed special puja at Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain and prayed for the team’s victory.

#WATCH | Bihar: Special prayers being offered in Patna for the Indian cricket team’s victory in today’s ICC T20 World Cup match against Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/uU67dQgzge

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2026

#WATCH | Gorakhpur, UP: On the occasion of Mahashivratri, large numbers of devotees are visiting Shiva temples to perform puja and pray for India’s victory in today’s T20 World Cup match against Pakistan.

Devotee Anshika Pathak says, “On the holy occasion of Mahashivratri, many… pic.twitter.com/d2yg3TLEcu

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2026

When and where to watch India vs Pakistan match live?

The India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026 will be played today (15 February) at 7 pm at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The match will be broadcast live on the channels of Star Sports Network. There will be live streaming on JioHotstar app.

Now everyone is waiting for the India vs Pakistan match in T20 World Cup 2026, which is on 15th February. Suryakumar Yadav and team reached Colombo on Friday night for this big match. During this, Team India was given a warm welcome at the airport and the artists performed traditional dance. During this time, when Arshdeep came close to him, he also moved forward dancing towards him.

The Indian cricket team is on top in the points table after winning both its opening matches. Pakistan is also coming after winning both the matches, they are at second position in the table. This match is not about points but it is a battle of credibility, which both the countries want to win. Of course, on papers Team India is strong, but the pressure is on both the teams. When the team reached Colombo Airport for this match, Sri Lankan artists welcomed the team by playing drums and performing traditional dances. Hardik Pandya was seen with his girlfriend. Arshdeep Singh started dancing in the same style as the artists.

VIDEO | Sri Lanka: Pacer Arshdeep Singh joins Sri Lankan dancers stationed to welcome the team in a traditional fashion. Team India arrived in Colombo ahead of the India–Pakistan T20 World Cup clash. Head coach Gautam Gambhir led the contingent out of the airport, while batting… pic.twitter.com/w8HxsReuF2

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 13, 2026

Will Abhishek Sharma play in India Pakistan match?

Right now the biggest question remains whether Abhishek Sharma will play in the India vs Pakistan match to be held on February 15 or not? Actually, the number-1 batsman in T20 did not play in the last match because due to stomach infection, he had to be hospitalized for 2 days. Although he was with the team during the match against Namibia, he did not seem completely fit.

India vs Pakistan match will be played at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo from 7 pm onwards. The live telecast of the match will be on Star Sports Network and live streaming on JioHotstar app.

India vs Pakistan match in T20 World Cup 2026 is fixed on 15th February, which will be played as per its schedule. The Government of Pakistan had announced boycott of this match. There was already an apprehension that as the date of the match approached, Pakistan would reverse its decision. Same thing happened, Pakistan agreed to play in this match. A statement was issued by ICC on this.

The ICC said in a statement: “The talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board took place as part of a broader engagement. Both recognized the need for good conduct, fairness and cooperation, and said that they are committed to the good interests of the game. It was decided that all member countries will honor their commitments as per the conditions of playing ICC tournaments. All will do their best to ensure that the ongoing editions are successful.”

Contract between BCCI, PCB and ICC

India had decided not to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy (2025), after which Team India’s matches were shifted to UAE. After this, a contract was signed between ICC, BCCI and PCB that both the countries would play in ICC events but at neutral venues. Under this, Pakistan also played its matches in Sri Lanka in the Women’s World Cup last year.

In the ongoing edition of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan is also playing its matches in Sri Lanka. Even if the Pakistan team reaches the finals, the title match will also be held there. Pakistan had no concrete reason to boycott the match against India in Sri Lanka also. For this reason, it was already believed that in the end the PCB would have to bow down.

Where did the controversy start

This controversy started after ICC excluded Bangladesh from T20 World Cup 2026. Actually, Bangladesh Cricket Board, angry with the release of Mustafizur Rahman from IPL, decided that it will demand to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka. Although there was very little time for this, ICC refused but BCB stuck to its point. The result was that ICC excluded Bangladesh and included Scotland in the tournament in their place.