India vs Pak T20 World Cup: Indian rapper Hanumankind on Sunday joined R.K. ahead of the much-awaited India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 clash. Premadasa is set to perform at the stadium, adding sparkle to one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries.
The pre-match show, organized by the ICC, is scheduled to start around 6:00 pm local time, an hour before the match starts at 7:00 pm. Tournament broadcaster Star Sports confirmed the performance on Friday, saying the rapper would be joined by a dance troupe as part of the opening ceremony.
Who is Hanumanji?
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Kerala-born artist Suraj Cherukat shot to international fame after his 2024 viral hit “Big Dogs” took social media platforms by storm. Blending Southern American hip-hop influences with Indian roots, Hanumankind carved a niche for himself among global audiences, and became one of the few Indian rappers to make it into Western mainstream playlists.
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His rise has been meteoric, with “Big Dawgs” catapulting him from India’s underground rap circuit to international recognition in a matter of months.
Why was there a reaction to his performance?
The decision to host a musical performance before the India-Pakistan match has drawn sharp reactions online. Many netizens questioned why the match was being considered a spectacular spectacle compared to other group-stage games.
One user criticized the ICC for constantly putting India and Pakistan together in tournaments and organizing a special show around the match, and asked why other teams were not given equal attention.
What is wrong with ICC after all?
First of all, they always put India and Pakistan in the same group in every ICC tournament.
And now they want to organize a show of Hanumanji in India vs Pakistan match.
Why is this match being given special match treatment, what will happen to the remaining 18 teams and… pic.twitter.com/i0CS5MOzNU– Unattainable Hindu (@itsSKS17) 14 February 2026
Another post read, “What is this celebration for? Hanumanji is performing today in the India vs Pakistan match. Why does it feel as if we are celebrating as if two friendly countries are competing?”
Why this celebration????
-Hanumanji is going to perform in the India vs Pakistan match today.
-Why does it feel like we are celebrating the match as if two friendly countries are going to compete with each other.
-Pakistan is our enemy country and there is nothing to celebrate there. pic.twitter.com/m03LITMkqp– Gagan Chaudhary (@choudhary_99415) 15 February 2026
A third user questioned the need for a grand ceremony, saying the cricket board should treat it as “just a normal group stage match”.
Before the India vs Pakistan match, Hanumanji will present the rap song of Dhurandhar in Colombo today.
Why is this incident happening?
Is it so difficult for BCCI and ICC to just show it as a normal group stage match! – Panther (@Panther7112) 15 February 2026
No first pre-match show
This is not the first time that ICC has made entertainment arrangements before the India-Pakistan contest. Singer Arijit Singh performed ahead of the 2023 World Cup meeting in India.
Diplomatic tension and confirmation
There was a cloud of uncertainty for some time over high-voltage stability following diplomatic tensions between the two countries. On 1 February, the government of Pakistan announced that although the team was approved to participate in the tournament, it would boycott the India match.
The ICC responded that “selective participation undermines the integrity and spirit of the competitions.” Following talks between the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board, Pakistan reversed its stance on 8 February and confirmed participation in all scheduled matches, ensuring that the marquee clash would go ahead as planned.