India Crushes Pakistan by 61 Runs in T20 World Cup

Pakistan crumbles as India secures convincing win, Tilak Varma stars

India beats Pakistan by 61 runs in T20 World Cup, led by Ishan Kishan's 77 and strong bowling.

“Batting first was (the) better option on this wicket...”

India crushed Pakistan by 61 runs in Colombo, booking their spot in the next round of the T20 World Cup. Ishan Kishan sparked the innings with a blazing 77, and Suryakumar Yadav's team posted 175-7.

India extend their unbeaten #T20WorldCup 2026 run with a clinical win in Colombo 👏

📝: https://t.co/TSLw2HHG3q pic.twitter.com/4Iet9vhH6N

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 15, 2026

India's bowlers were ruthless, dismissing Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs. This one's for the rivalry books.

Pakistan's loss adds to their poor World Cup record against India. India dominates, winning eight of nine T20 World Cup meetings and all eight ODI World Cup encounters.

This rivalry is intense, with India on top. 

“I think this is for India,” said Suryakumar after his side followed the West Indies into the Super 8s stage.

“Batting first was (the) better option on this wicket.”

Pakistan got off to the worst possible start in their chase of 176 to win, Sahibzada Farhan top-edging a slog across the line to mid-on for a duck in Hardik Pandya's first over.

It became 6-2 when Jasprit Bumrah's second ball trapped Saim Ayub (6) plumb in front.

Pakistan's top order crumbled. Captain Salman Agha (4) and Babar Azam (5) fell quickly, leaving Pakistan 34-4 in the fifth over.

India's bowlers were ruthless, with Bumrah and Axar Patel taking key wickets. 

Usman Khan offered some resistance, scoring 44 from 34 balls with a six and six fours in an attempt to repair the innings.

But after he charged down the pitch to Axar and Kishan stumped him by a mile, it sparked a mini-collapse of three wickets for five runs, and at 78-7, the game was done and dusted.

India were unstoppable on the field 🤩 Swipe to see how it unfolded ⬅️#T20WorldCup broadcast details 👉 https://t.co/Wf4VaE4pSJ pic.twitter.com/XnQ4jh4pLw

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 15, 2026

India's captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan's captain Salman Agha didn't shake hands at the coin toss, continuing a trend from their Asia Cup encounters last year. This decision is reportedly in line with India's stance on the issue, following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

The no-handshake policy has sparked debate, with some seeing it as a mark of respect for the victims and others as going against the spirit of sportsmanship. 

The India-Pakistan match was touch-and-go till the last minute. Pakistan initially threatened to boycott, but backed down six days ago. Abhishek Sharma, India's opener, returned after a stomach bug, but didn't last long - out for 0 off 4 balls.

Kishan was unperturbed by the loss of his partner and set about an assault on the Pakistan bowlers, bringing up his fifty off 27 balls with two sixes and seven fours.

He was middling the ball all round the park, so it was a major surprise when he missed a straighter delivery from spinner Ayub and was bowled.

“Ishan thought outside the box,” said Suryakumar.

“After we were 0-1, someone had to take responsibility, and the way he took it was amazing.”

Ishan Kishan Blasts Pakistan Bowlers

Ishan Kishan's explosive 77 (3x6, 10x4) propelled India to 88-2 in 8.4 overs. 

“I was just keeping it simple and watching the ball and playing with the field, maybe trying to make them run as much as they can,” said Kishan.

“But yeah, I think it worked pretty well.”

After Kishan's exit, Pakistan's bowlers applied the brakes. India struggled to 125-2 at the second drinks break (14 overs). 

Tilak Varma, on 25, became Ayub's second victim, trapped in front, and India were 126-3.

Hardik then slogged the next ball and was caught in the deep to put Ayub on a hat-trick.

Shivam Dube was beaten all ends up by the hat-trick ball, but it bounced over the top of middle stump as it turned past the left-hander's outside edge, and he somehow survived.

Ayub took 3-25 from four overs. Suryakumar Yadav made 32 off 29 at the other end. Dube (27) was run out in the final over.

The cricket teams of the nuclear-armed neighbours only meet in multi-nation tournaments at neutral venues as part of a compromise deal.

It has been more than 18 years since India and Pakistan last met in a Test match, and 13 years since either side crossed the border to play a bilateral series.