Colombo, Feb 15 (.) Ishan Kishan’s explosive 77-run blitz powered India to a commanding 61-run victory over Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.
From the first ball, Kishan attacked Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi, pulling his opening delivery for a six and immediately signaling India’s intent. The wicketkeeper-batter combined fearless strokeplay with audacious improvisation, including a one-handed four, reverse sweeps, and precision lofted drives, to dominate the Pakistan attack and keep the scoreboard ticking at a rapid pace.
Kishan’s innings, punctuated by ten boundaries and three sixes, set the foundation for India’s total of 175 for 7 in 20 overs. His partnerships with Tilak Varma and captain Suryakumar Yadav stabilized the innings after early wickets, while Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh accelerated in the final overs.
Dube’s pull shots and lofted drives, including a towering six off Abrar Ahmed, added much-needed momentum, and Rinku Singh showcased his finishing skills with a stunning sequence of a four and a six in the last over before being run out in a chaotic mix-up with Dube.
Axar Patel, too, fell on the final ball to a spectacular diving catch by Saim Ayub, but India’s total was already imposing.
Chasing 176, Pakistan’s innings faltered from the outset. Early dismissals of Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub to Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah put the visitors on the back foot.
Captain Salman Agha, attempting to stabilize the innings, was caught by Hardik for four, while Babar Azam fell to Axar Patel’s precise bowling. Usman Khan provided resistance with 44 off 34 balls, finding gaps and scoring some crucial boundaries, but wickets tumbled around him.
India’s bowlers exploited every mistake. Hardik Pandya dismissed Usman Tariq and Farhan, Axar Patel stumped Khan and bowled Babar Azam, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Tilak Varma claimed key middle-order wickets.
Even as Pakistan attempted to revive their innings with Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed hitting a few boundaries, the Indian fielders stayed alert, converting catches and effecting run-outs, including a crucial run-out of Dube in the last over that stemmed any momentum Pakistan hoped to build.
The climax of Pakistan’s innings saw an unbroken chain of wickets in the death overs, including Usman Tariq’s dismissal by Hardik Pandya, leaving Pakistan all out for 114 in 18 overs. The 61-run margin highlighted India’s dominance with both bat and ball.
The match was also marked by intense fielding moments and near-misses. Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav dropped crucial chances, but India’s bowlers compensated with accuracy and aggression. Pakistan’s attempts to hit back were repeatedly stifled by clinical bowling, sharp fielding, and pressure applied throughout the innings.
Ishan Kishan’s innings was the defining performance, combining audacity, timing, and consistency under pressure.
Supported by strategic batting partnerships and a ruthless bowling attack led by Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy, India asserted themselves as a formidable force in the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup.
Kishan’s heroics sent a clear message to all teams: when he is in full flow, India is virtually unplayable in the shortest format.
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