Colombo: India put in a complete performance with both bat and ball, defeating Pakistan by 61 runs and continuing their dominance in the T20 World Cup clashes between the two teams. The win also made India the first team to qualify for the Super 8 stage, underlining the tournament’s consistency so far. Chasing 176, Pakistan never quite found their rhythm and were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, with Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy taking two wickets each to share the spoils.
Earlier, India scored 175/7 – the highest tally in a T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan – thanks to Ishan Kishan’s scintillating 77 off 40 balls. The left-hander set the tone after India lost Abhishek Sharma without scoring and his aggressive intent ensured the run rate remained healthy throughout the powerplay. Useful contributions from Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh kept the scoreboard ticking at nearly ten runs per over, even as Pakistan tried to slow things down with spin. Usman Tariq stood out with 4/24 but mistakes and missed moments proved costly.
Pakistan’s chase never really took off. They lost four wickets in the powerplay and had too much to do with very little on the board. Usman Khan seemed to be the only batsman capable of turning things around, but he fell six runs short of a half-century after being bowled by Axar Patel. From then on, the Indian bowlers consolidated their control, with Bumrah’s precision and Hardik’s early breakthroughs ensuring Pakistan were always behind the game.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav summed up the mood in the dressing room, saying: “This is for India. We played the same kind of cricket we wanted to play.” He particularly praised the Player of the Match. “The way Ishan has fought, he has done so in recent games and in domestic cricket. When the score was 0-1, someone had to take responsibility and he did that amazingly well.” Surya admitted that there was a brief wobble in the middle overs but considered it part of the format. “There was a bit of a lull but that’s the beauty of T20 cricket. The way Tilak, Dube and Rinku fought is commendable.”
Talking about the total, the skipper felt that India had progressed above average. “It’s hard to say when we’re batting first, but when we got to 175 we thought it was 15 to 20 runs over par. If it had been 155 it would have been a very close game.” He also emphasized on the role of the bowlers in ensuring victory. “Hardik took the new ball and took charge. Bumrah then showed why he is the best in the world. It was great to see everyone contribute.” Looking ahead, Surya remained focused on staying grounded. “We will think about the next steps tomorrow. Tonight we just want to have a good time together as a team and then concentrate when we reach Ahmedabad.”
For Pakistan, captain Salman Ali Agha admitted that his team failed to execute their plans. “We had four spinners but they had a bad day. The execution was lacking in some parts,” he said. Reflecting on the batting line-up’s collapse, he added: “We didn’t start well. When you lose three or four wickets in the powerplay, you’re always chasing the game.” He felt the conditions were difficult at the start but insisted his team should have adapted better. “It was a bit difficult in the first innings and the ball was grippy. The pitch played better later on but we didn’t bowl according to the situation and didn’t deal with the bat.”
Agha also spoke about dealing with the intensity of the competition. “Emotions are always high in these games and we just have to deal with them better.” Despite the defeat, he remained optimistic about their chances. “We have another game in a few days. We have to win that and qualify and then it will be a new tournament.”
Player of the match Ishan Kishan, who laid the foundation with his aggressive hitting, said adaptability was crucial on a surface that was not easy. “The wicket wasn’t that easy. Sometimes you just have to believe and focus on your strengths,” he explained. “I watched the ball and tried to get them going as much as possible.” Kishan revealed that he had been working on increasing his scoring opportunities. “I worked a lot on my off-side game so I can get bowlers to bowl where I want. On a big ground you have bigger gaps, so I tried to hit the gaps and hit twos.”
He added that the team has a clear goal in mind. “We knew about 160-170 total would be good for us.” Speaking about the occasion, Kishan said that the rivalry always brings extra motivation. “India-Pakistan is always a special game, not just for us but also for the country. The win gives us confidence for the future.” He also thanked the bowlers for getting the job done. “Bumrah and Hardik bowled incredibly well. We know what Jassi can do with the new ball or at the death and we thank Hardik for bowling in tight areas and executing his plans.”
With a Super 8 spot secured and confidence high, India will now look to continue that momentum – a feat that, in Surya’s words, truly felt like it was done “for India”.
