Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin delivered a scathing assessment of Pakistan after their crushing 61-run defeat to India in the T20 World Cup 2026, saying the match was effectively over once India posted 175 on a tricky Colombo surface.
India were powered to 175 by a fluent knock from Ishan Kishan, a total Ashwin described as far more imposing than it appeared on paper at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin compared the total to a follow-on scenario in Test cricket.
“175 is like 250 on this pitch. It’s not a small score. You can enforce a follow-on here,” he said. “In a four-day game, the follow-on margin is 150. In a five-day game, it’s 200. On this surface in T20Is, 175 makes sense. If India had scored 20 more, we could have done it.”
Ashwin also identified Pakistan’s decision at the toss as the turning point. After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bowl first — a call it believes backfired badly.
“Where did they win to lose the plot? They lost it at the toss,” Ashwin remarked. “We saw Australia struggle to get 170 against Zimbabwe. In IPL games, teams chase 100 in 10 overs easily, but that’s not happening in this World Cup. At Premadasa, you can’t chase 100 in 10 overs.”
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He further questioned Pakistan’s temperament under pressure.
“The way Pakistan handle pressure, India are 100 times better in that aspect. I don’t think Pakistan are there yet. Tactically, they’ve improved under Salman Agha and Mike Hesson, but some decisions were baffling.”
Ashwin was particularly critical of skipper Salman Ali Agha for bringing Shaheen Shah Afridi into the attack early during the powerplay.
“You’ve taken Abhishek Sharma’s wicket and Shaheen is leaking runs left, right and centre. We spoke about how dangerous Ishan Kishan is against left-arm seam. Data tells the truth — he takes them on.”
While clarifying that he wasn’t against bowling left-arm pace to Kishan, Ashwin felt tactical adjustments were missing.
“If Shaheen was getting hit, I would’ve liked to see him come around the wicket to the left-hander. He didn’t do it. The second over should’ve gone to Saim Ayub.”
Pakistan’s defeat has intensified scrutiny over their tactical awareness and big-match temperament, with Ashwin’s comments adding further sting to an already painful loss.
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