Few performances by an Indian opener in IND vs PAK matches at ICC events will match the dazzling show that Ishan Kishan put on Sunday night in Colombo during the Group A match between the two archrivals in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Any apprehensions that would have entered the hearts of the Indian fans after Abhishek Sharma got out for a duck in the first over were allayed quickly by Kishan’s blitz.
In fact, the southpaw hammered a six on the first ball of the second over of India’s innings, bowled by Shaheen Afridi, to get going on what ended up being a memorable knock. What it also was a highly impactful innings as it put India on the front foot in the powerplay, which made all the difference in the end on the tacky surface at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Kishan’s proactiveness was something captain Suryakumar Yadav didn’t fail to mention in the post-match presentation ceremony after India cleaned up the game by 61 runs.
Despite losing Abhishek on the last ball of the first over, Kishan knew he couldn’t rein himself in. This is because the pitch was spin-friendly, with the ball gripping in it and turning off it; it would only become challenging to bat on as the innings progressed.
After spanking Shaheen for a six, he went after spinners Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed. By the end of the powerplay, Kishan was 42 (25), and India was on 52/1.
The assault continued. Kishan tore into Abrar with three consecutive boundaries, the second of which took him to a 27-ball half-century. In the next over, he smoked Shadab Khan for a six and a four and clattered Ayub for a boundary before getting bowled.
India finished with 175, and the bowlers bundled Pakistan for only 114.
IND vs PAK: Ishan Kishan thought something out of the box, says Suryakumar Yadav
Kishan’s 77 (40) stood out in the game where no other batsman made a half-century. Such was his dominance that when he was out for 77, India’s total was 88.
Captain Suryakumar heaped praise on Kishan for riding the advantage home for India in the powerplay itself, knowing that batting would get tougher against Pakistan’s spinners after the sixth over.
Suryakumar said, “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. I think Ishan thought something out of the box. After 0 for 1, there had to be someone taking responsibility in the power play, and the way he took that responsibility, I think it was amazing. I think we were very ahead in the power play.”
With three wins in three games, India have continued their winning juggernaut in the T20 World Cup; India didn’t lose a single game in the 2024 edition. Suryakumar’s side has sealed their place in the Super 8.
Pakistan fell below the USA on the points table due to an inferior net run rate. They have now been forced into a must-win situation against Namibia. If Pakistan lose to Namibia, they will be knocked out and USA will advance.
When is India’s next match in the T20 World Cup?
India’s next and last Group A match is against the Netherlands. This game will be played on Wednesday, February 18, in Ahmedabad.
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