Team India were clinical in their approach as they bowled out Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs and register a thumping 61-run win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash at R.Premadasa Stadium. After the boycott drama, Pakistan were desperate for a win. After Ishan Kishan’s blazing 77 helped India set a target of 175, skipper Suryakumar Yadav told his teammates not to sledge Pakistanis and rely on good skill to outsmart them.
“Keep running between the overs. Kisi se kuch bolna nahi hai (Don’t stay a word to anyone). We've to play good cricket. Good skill se hum log ye game jeetenge (We will win this game with good skill),” Suryakumar told his teammates in the video released by the BCCI on February 16.
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That’s exactly what happened as Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of a big score in spin-friendly conditions. They lost four wickets for just 34 runs inside the powerplay overs. In the uphill battle in the middle overs, Pakistan couldn't even come close to target as they were bowled out for 114. The 61-run loss is their biggest to India in the format. It is also their second heaviest defeat by runs in T20 World Cups.
SKY’s big praise for Kishan
Suryakumar lauded Kishan for his scintillating knock on a tough track to take the game away from Pakistan. He revealed why he got exactly what he wanted when Salman Agha won the toss and opted to bowl first.
“I told you at the toss as well. I think batting first was a better option on this wicket. And the way Ishan batted and he was batting in the last few games and also in the domestic circuit, he batted the same way and took the team ahead,” Suryakumar said.
“We wanted to play the same way how we were playing. I think Ishan thought something out of the box. After 0 for 1, there had to be someone taking responsibility in the powerplay and the way he took that responsibility, I think it was amazing. I think we were very ahead in the powerplay. There was a little bit of lump in between 7 to 15, but then that's the beauty of T20 cricket and the way Tilak, Shivam and Rinku batted, I think it was commendable,” he added.
India’s next match and who will they face in Super 8?
With three wins on the trot, India have already qualified for the Super 8 stage. In their final group stage match, India will go up against the Netherlands at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on February 18.
As per the pre-seedings, India are set to feature in Group 1 alongside South Africa, West Indies. The fourth team could be either Australia or Zimbabwe.