India delivered a masterclass in dominance, crushing Pakistan by 61 runs at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium to become the first team into the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The humiliation was so complete that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly left the venue before Pakistan’s innings ended at a dismal 114 all out. Chasing 176, Pakistan collapsed in 18 overs, extending India’s psychological stranglehold in cricket’s most-watched rivalry. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
Ishan Kishan’s Blitz Sets Up Record Total Against Pakistan
Ishan Kishan smashed 77 off just 40 balls, anchoring India to their highest-ever T20 World Cup total against Pakistan. The left-hander’s assault came after Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck in the first over, but Kishan never flinched. He cracked boundaries off Shaheen Afridi, Saim Ayub, and Abrar Ahmed, racing to a 27-ball fifty that calmed Indian nerves and set the tone for carnage.
This is his second consecutive half-century, following the 61-run blitz against Namibia three nights ago. The left-handed opener has been in marauding form, and his back-to-back fifties have cemented his position at the top of India’s order.
India finished at 175/7, a record in this fixture’s World Cup history. Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh chipped in with crucial contributions in the middle and death overs, ensuring Pakistan faced a mountain they’d never climbed before.
But the innings wasn’t without drama.
Gambhir’s Mid-Match Blast Backfires—Briefly
Head coach Gautam Gambhir had an animated chat with Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma during the innings break. Immediately after, India lost two wickets in two balls—Tilak departed, and Hardik Pandya walked back for a golden duck. The timing was bizarre, and social media erupted with speculation about what Gambhir said.
Yet India’s run rate never dipped. They continued scoring at 9-10 per over, a testament to the new core’s composure under pressure. Pakistan’s fielding didn’t help either—Shadab Khan gifted Suryakumar an easy boundary, and another fielder lost sight of the ball entirely.
Usman Tariq, Pakistan’s much-hyped spinner, claimed 4/24, but it felt hollow. His team needed 176, and their batting lineup was about to crumble.
Pakistan’s Collapse: Four Down in the Powerplay
The chase was over before it began.
Hardik Pandya dismissed Sahibzada Farhan for a duck in the first over. In the next, Jasprit Bumrah—widely regarded as the world’s best pacer—landed a perfect yorker to send Saim Ayub packing after a streaky six. Pakistan lost four wickets inside the Powerplay, gasping at 13/3 when captain Salman Agha fell.
Babar Azam, batting at No. 4, managed just 5 runs off 7 balls before Axar Patel trapped him. His struggles against India in T20 World Cups are now a pattern, not an anomaly. Usman Khan showed grit, threatening to reach a half-century before falling six short, stumped off Axar for 44. Shadab Khan tried. Mohammad Nawaz holed out.
Nothing worked. Pakistan were all out for 114 in 18 overs, their third-lowest total against India in T20Is. Hardik Pandya, Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy picked up two wickets each, sharing the spoils in a clinical bowling performance.
PCB Chief’s Early Exit Speaks Volumes
Perhaps the most telling image of the night wasn’t on the field. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi left the Premadasa Stadium before Pakistan’s innings concluded—a visual metaphor for institutional despair. Whether he had a prior commitment or simply couldn’t stomach the collapse, the optics were damning.
This defeat extends Pakistan’s nightmarish record against India in T20 World Cups. India has now won seven of eight encounters, with Pakistan’s lone victory coming in 2021. The overall T20I head-to-head is even more lopsided: India leads 12-3.
A New Era Without Rohit and Kohli
This match marked a watershed moment. For the first time since 2007, an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash featured neither Rohit Sharma nor Virat Kohli. The legends were absent, yet India’s dominance never wavered. Kishan, Suryakumar, Tilak, and Rinku proved they don’t need the old guard to humiliate Pakistan.
It’s a generational shift, and it makes India even more terrifying. The blueprint is evolving, the bench is deep, and Pakistan has no answers.
What’s Next for Both Teams
India became the first team to qualify for the Super 8 stage and will likely finish atop Group A. Their next challenge comes against Bangladesh, but confidence is sky-high. Pakistan, meanwhile, face a must-win scenario against Ireland to keep their tournament hopes alive. Another loss, and they’re headed home early—again.
For Indian fans, this was more than three points. It was validation. For Pakistan, it’s an existential crisis that no amount of spin bowling or pace can solve. The rivalry remains cricket’s biggest spectacle, but the power balance has never been more one-sided.
India didn’t just win. They made a statement, and Pakistan’s humiliation was complete—so much so that even their board chief couldn’t watch. With Kishan’s fireworks, Bumrah’s precision, and a new core firing on all cylinders, India’s 2026 campaign looks ominous. Pakistan, once again, are left searching for answers they may never find.
