In a clinical display of high-octane cricket at the R. Premadasa Stadium on 15 February 2026, India was destroyed Pakistan He officially secured his place in the Super 8 stage with 61 runs T20 World Cup 2026. The victory was sealed by a merciless counter-attack Ishan Kishihe turned 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 Hardik Pandya and jasprit bumrahthen Pakistan dismantled their chase and left it in complete ruin inside the Powerplay. With a perfect record of three wins from three games, the Men in Blue became the first team from Group A to qualify for the next round. This dominant performance not only reaffirmed India’s title credentials, but also marked one of their most comprehensive World Cup victories over their arch-rivals.
T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kisha’s fiery 77 takes India to 175 in Colombo
After a tense “handshake” toss in which Pakistan chose the ball, India immediately fell short. Abhishek Sharma For four balls fell for a duck Salman Ali Agha‘s off-spin. However, Kishan did not let the pressure build and went on a breathtaking onslaught that saw him hit 10 fours and 3 sixes in the park. Completing his half-century off just 27 balls, Kishan officially joined the elite group of Indian batsmen to score 50+ against Pakistan in T20 World Cup history, maintaining a strike rate of 192.50.
His partnership with the aggressive 87 Tilak Varma steadied the innings and led India to a record-breaking 175/7, the highest team total ever recorded in an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash. The reason is despite a moderate wobble Saim Ayub‘s triple strike, including Hardik’s dismissal for a golden duck, late cameos Suryakumar Yadav (32) and Shivam Dubey (27) ensured India posted an equally high-feeling total on the sticky, slow Colombo surface.
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 opener that decided the match before it really got going. Delivered the new ball by Suryakumar’s tactical master stroke, Pandya delivered a perfect wicket maiden, leading to an untimely error. Sahibzade Farhan, who set off for a four-ball duck.
The nightmare deepened for Pakistan when Bumrah trapped Saim Ayub with a toasty yorker and removed captain Salman Agha two balls later, leaving the chase in tatters at 13/3. Akhar Patel Babar soon cleared Azam for just 5 and an over Osman Khan With a 44-run knock, he resisted briefly, ‘Spin Twins’ Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakraborty caused its final downfall. Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 114 in 18 overs, a massive 61-run victory over India and the most dominant bowling display of the 2026 campaign so far.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Neighbors…
How was your Sunday?
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 15, 2026
India seems to be scaring Pakistan on the cricket pitch .. they are much better in all aspects of the game and a much better mindset to tackle the big occasion .. #INDvsPAK
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 15, 2026
An incredible shot with a pocket rocket @ishankishan51 👏 175 is a really good score in a tough field. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/bijD4Oln8f
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2026
Well done Team India 🇮🇳. India vs Pakistan is just hype, no contest. The fan was competitive, but one-way traffic on the field ….. Again. JAI INDIA
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 15, 2026
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. Pakistan’s cricket administration puts too much pressure on its players. You can see how provocative they are.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 15, 2026
India is an exceptional team, the best in the world. You have to have a flawless game to beat them. Pakistan made too many mistakes, too many false shots, too many bad deliveries. You will never come close with a performance like this. Introspection is required. #T20WorldCup
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) February 15, 2026
A 61-run defeat on a pitch that was Pakistan’s best chance tells you the gulf that exists between them and India.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) February 15, 2026
Pak fans after another humiliating loss to India 😅 #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/tlzqm0n2NE
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2026
Hats off to Ishan Kishan, well done sir! You are a master. Those innings will stay with me for a long time. With Rohit against Oz in the last World Cup. Maybe even better.
— Nikhil Mehra (@TweetinderKaul) February 15, 2026
India lead 8-1 over Pakistan in T20 World Cup history 🔥#cricket #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/XeLqwtd45d
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 15, 2026
