In a clinical display of high-octane cricket at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15, 2026, India decimated Pakistan by 61 runs to officially secure their place in the Super 8 stage of T20 World Cup 2026. The victory was anchored by a ferocious counter-attack from Ishan Kishan, who transformed a shaky start into a match-winning platform with his second consecutive fifty of the tournament.
India’s bowling unit, led by a menacing opening spell from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, then dismantled the Pakistan chase, leaving it in total ruins within the Powerplay. With a perfect record of three wins from three games, the Men in Blue have become the first team from Group A to qualify for the next round. This dominant performance not only reaffirms India’s title credentials but also marks one of their most comprehensive World Cup victories over their arch-rivals.
T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kishan’s blazing 77 powers India to 175 in Colombo
Following a tense ‘no-handshake’ toss where Pakistan elected to bowl, India suffered an immediate setback when Abhishek Sharma fell for a four-ball duck to Salman Ali Agha‘s off-spin. However, Kishan refused to let the pressure mount, launching a breathtaking assault that saw him smash 10 fours and 3 sixes across the park. By reaching his half-century in just 27 balls, Kishan officially joined an elite bracket of Indian batters to score a 50+ against Pakistan in T20 World Cup history, maintaining a strike rate of 192.50.
His aggressive 87-run partnership with Tilak Varma stabilized the innings and propelled India to a record-breaking 175/7, the highest team total ever recorded in an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash. Despite a middle-order wobble caused by Saim Ayub’s triple strike, which included dismissing Hardik for a golden duck, late cameos from Suryakumar Yadav (32) and Shivam Dube (27) ensured India posted a total that felt well above par on the tacky, slow Colombo surface.
The Hardik Pandya-Jasprit Bumrah blitz: Pakistan’s chase crumbles for 114
Defending a target of 176, India’s Hardik set the tone with an extraordinary opening over that essentially decided the match before it truly began. Handed the new ball in a tactical masterstroke by Suryakumar, Pandya delivered a perfect wicket-maiden, inducing a mistimed pull from Sahibzada Farhan who departed for a four-ball duck.
The nightmare only deepened for Pakistan in the second over when Bumrah trapped Saim Ayub with a searing yorker and removed captain Salman Agha two balls later, leaving the chase in tatters at 13/3. Axar Patel soon cleaned up Babar Azam for just 5, and while Usman Khan offered brief resistance with a 44-run knock, the ‘Spin Twins’ Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy triggered a final collapse. Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 114 in 18 overs, handing India a massive 61-run victory and their most dominant bowling display of the 2026 campaign so far.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Padosiyo…..
Sunday kesa raha?
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 15, 2026
India seem to intimidate Pakistan on the cricket field .. they are so much better in all facets of the game & such a better mentality of coping with the huge occasion .. #INDvsPAK
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 15, 2026
Incredible striking by pocket rocket @ishankishan51 👏 175 is a really good total on a tricky pitch. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/bijD4Oln8f
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2026
Team India 🇮🇳 well done . India vs Pakistan is only hype no contest. Fan made rivalry but one way traffic on the field ….. Again . JAI HIND
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 15, 2026
I’ve said it before, but it is worth repeating. Pakistan’s cricket administration puts far too much pressure on their players. You could see that in how tentative they were.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 15, 2026
India is an exceptional team, best in the world. You need to have a near flawless game to beat them. Pakistan made too many errors, too many false shots, too many poor deliveries. You’re never going to get close with a performance like that. Introspection required. #T20WorldCup
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) February 15, 2026
A 61 run defeat on a pitch that was Pakistan’s best chance tells you the current gulf betwen them and India.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) February 15, 2026
Pak fans after suffering yet another embarrassing defeat to India 😅 #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/tlzqm0n2NE
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2026
Ishan Kishan, a doff of the hat, good sir! You are a master of the craft. That innings will stay with me for a long time. Right up there with Rohit against Oz in the last World Cup. Perhaps better.
— Nikhil Mehra (@TweetinderKaul) February 15, 2026
India takes 8-1 lead over Pakistan in T20 World Cup history 🔥#cricket #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/XeLqwtd45d
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 15, 2026
