The India-Pakistan face-off at the ICC T20 World Cup was not just a cricket match, it was a full-blown spectacle. Even before the first ball was bowled at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday night, the pre-match ceremony had the audience buzzing with excitement as rapper 'Hanumankind' took the stage. The Kerala-born artist, whose real name is Sooraj Cherukat, had thousands cheering as he belted out popular numbers, including the viral hit Big Dawgs.
But the talk wasn't just about the songs he performed, it was also about the songs he didn't perform. Many viewers quickly noticed that he skipped the 'Dhurandhar' title track, which fans had expected to hear at such a high-profile event.
ALSO READ | Hanumankind’s India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 performance sparks online debate ahead of Colombo clash
A deliberate choice?
The song comes from 'Dhurandhar', directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh. While the movie shamed box- office records, it also stirred strong political discussion because of its portrayal of tension between India and Pakistan. The controversy even led to the film being banned across the border because of its background.
Several social media users felt the rapper may have intentionally avoided performing the track to prevent unnecessary debate during a match already loaded with emotion.
ALSO READ | Three points in the bag, but three big problems loom for Mohun Bagan
Watching Hanumankind live right before Ind vs Pak unreal energy pic.twitter.com/1forYzOPoa
CricketHub (@ZeroContext111) February 15, 2026
Reactions pour in
Online responses were divided. A large section of fans appreciated the electrifying concert and said it perfectly set the mood for the game. One commented, "Hanumankind fires up crowd."
Others, however, wondered why even a group- stage match needed such a massive build-up with viewer from both countries glued to their screen, including a sensitive number might have shifted focus away from cricket. Anothe ruser commented, "Hanumankind be like gane ese gao ki na India walo ko samaj aaye or na pakistan walo ko."
The absence of the song now become a story in itself.
Despite the debates, the film remains on India’s highest earners, collecting Rs 1283.5 crore worldwide and close to Rs 990 crore in the domestic market as per Sacnik. A follow-up film, Dhurandhar 2, is already in the pipeline and is expected to be released on March 19.
