Ishan Kishan delivered a match defining performance to steer India into the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup, earning the Man of the Match award after a commanding 61 run victory over Pakistan in Colombo. His explosive 77 from just 40 deliveries laid the foundation for India’s imposing total and ensured the high pressure clash never slipped out of their control.
Coming in after an early setback, with Abhishek Sharma dismissed for a duck, Kishan immediately shifted the momentum. He took on Pakistan’s pace attack with confidence, launching Shaheen Shah Afridi for a towering six and maintaining relentless aggression. His crisp stroke play kept the scoreboard moving and unsettled the opposition bowlers.
Kishan anchored a vital 87 run partnership for the second wicket with Tilak Varma, contributing 76 of those runs himself. He raced to his half century in only 27 balls, combining elegant timing with calculated risks. The left hander struck 10 boundaries and cleared the ropes three times, dictating terms throughout the middle overs. His innings ended at 77 when Saim Ayub induced a breakthrough in the ninth over, but by then the damage had been done and India were firmly in command.
After his dismissal, India experienced a brief slowdown as wickets fell in clusters. Tilak Varma departed for 25, and Hardik Pandya fell without scoring. Captain Suryakumar Yadav battled for 32 on a surface that offered assistance to spinners. A late push from Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh helped India close at 175 for 7 in 20 overs, a total that proved more than enough.
India’s bowlers capitalized on the platform Kishan had built. Hardik Pandya began with a wicket maiden, and Jasprit Bumrah struck twice early to derail Pakistan’s chase. Although Usman Khan attempted resistance with 44, India’s disciplined attack ensured there was no recovery. All six bowlers claimed wickets as Pakistan were dismissed for 114 in 18 overs.
Kishan’s fearless innings not only earned him individual honors but also propelled India to the top of Group A with six points. With this win, India secured their eighth victory in nine T20 World Cup meetings against Pakistan and strengthened their march toward another potential title run.
