Ishan Kishan stars as dominant India crush Pakistan to enter Super Eight in T20 World Cup 2026

New Delhi: Ishan Kishan and bowlers shone as a dominant India thrashed Pakistan by 61 runs in the group-stage clash between the arch-rivals in the T20 World Cup 2026 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, February 15. India bundled out Pakistan for a paltry 114 to comfortably defend the total of 175 runs and book a spot in the Super Eight stage with their third win in a row in the tournament.

India’s 61-run win is their biggest against Pakistan in T20Is. With the win, the Men in Blue extended their dominant record against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, making it 8-1. India have won eight of the nine matches between the two sides in the tournament. India’s only loss against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup came during the 2021 edition. The Men in Blue have since defeated Pakistan in all three meetings in the tournament.

It was yet another clinical performance from India on Sunday as Suryakumar Yadav & Co. proved why the rivalry between the two sides has become a one-sided affair in the last few years. Kishan was the hero for India with the bat, stealing the show with his magnificent knock of 77 runs off just 40 balls.

Despite India losing the dangerous Abhishek Sharma on a duck early, Kishan remained unfazed under pressure and powered the team to a strong total with his stellar knock. The left-hander took his time to settle down before launching an incredible onslaught, taking the Pakistani bowlers to the cleaners. He raced to his fifty off just 27 balls, recording the 2nd-fastest half-century by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is.

Kishan’s 77 was laced with 10 fours and three sixes as he made a mockery of Pakistan’s spin ploy, providing India with a platform for a big total. The explosive left-hander, who has been in red-hot form, shared a crucial 87-run stand for the 2nd wicket with Tilak Varma (25) to lift India from 1-1 to 88/2 in 8.4 overs.

Tilak looked sluggish on a track that assisted spinners, but played the anchor’s role, adding another important stand of 38 runs with skipper Suryakumar. The Indian captain scored a valuable 32 off 29 balls and combined with Shivam Dube to help India cross the 170-run mark.

Dube continued his strong run against the spinners, smashing 27 off 17 balls, including three fours and a six. Rinku Singh, who arrived in the 19th over, played a short cameo of 4-ball 11 to play his part. Despite the middle order failing to capitalise on the platform laid by Kishan, India managed to post 175 runs on the board, which proved enough in the end.