India beat Pakistan by 61 runs to reach Super 8s at T20 World Cup
A dominant India outburst saw co-hosts beat Pakistan by 61 runs to secure a place in the Super 8s. India posted 175 for 7, powered by Ishan Kishan's 77, before a disciplined bowling performance dismissed Pakistan for 114. The fixture went ahead after the Pakistan government ended an earlier order for a boycott.
Kishan counterpunches to set a challenging total
India elected to bat and were paced through the innings by Ishan Kishan, who top-scored with a polished 77. Kishan combined inventive strokeplay with timely aggression in a surface that offered variable pace and bounce. Saim delivered valuable support, returning figures of 3 for 25 that helped keep momentum with the bat while rotating strike effectively.
By the time India closed on 175 for 7 they had accumulated a score they believed to be above par; captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team had taken chances from the outset and trusted their total, praising Kishan's ability to "think outside the box" and take responsibility in the powerplay. Yadav also singled out Jasprit Bumrah, saying his display reinforced why he is regarded as one of the world’s premier fast bowlers.
Indian bowlers choke the chase as Pakistan fold for 114
Pakistan began their reply under pressure and never recovered. The Indian attack produced a clinical collective effort: Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar Chakravarthy each claimed two wickets, exploiting the conditions and applying relentless pressure through the middle overs. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 114.
Discipline in line and length, combined with smart field placements, stopped Pakistan from building any meaningful partnerships. Saim’s earlier contributions with the ball and Kishan’s innings with the bat bookended a complete team performance. A former England bowler lauded Kishan’s timing on the surface, calling it a special innings and highlighting his ability to keep going when others struggled to time the ball.
What the result means and what’s next
The win advances India from Group A into the Super 8s and keeps their momentum alive as the tournament progresses. The result also leaves open the possibility of the two teams meeting again later in the competition. For Pakistan, the defeat raises questions about middle-order resilience and how the team will regroup after a low-scoring exit.
India’s combination of power hitting and an incisive attack will be a benchmark for opponents expecting to face them in the next phase. Pakistan will need to reassess batting strategies and execution under pressure if they are to rebound from this setback and remain competitive in the tournament.
After the match, the Indian captain reflected on the team's intent and hinted at celebrations before turning attention back to preparation for the Super 8s. The win was a reminder that, on their day, India can marshal both bat and ball to deliver decisive outcomes.
