India thrash Pakistan by 61 runs to reach Super 8s in T20 World Cup
India produced a comprehensive performance to beat Pakistan by 61 runs on Sunday (ET), finishing on 175-7 before bowling their rivals out for 114 inside 18 overs. The win secures India’s place in the Super 8 stage and further deepens their dominance in World Cup meetings between the two countries. The match followed the end of a government-imposed boycott order that had threatened Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.
Ishan Kishan sparks an eye-catching chase of runs
Opener Ishan Kishan was the decisive force with the bat, carving 77 off 40 balls to give India a flying start on a surface that proved tricky for many batters. Kishan’s aggressive approach produced ten fours and three sixes and set the tone for a total that captain Suryakumar Yadav later described as “the same brand of cricket that we wanted to play. ”
Kishan’s assault allowed India to accelerate early and post what turned out to be a challenging 176 for the chasing side. Support came in patches, but the platform provided by the opener meant India were always in control once they cleared the powerplay.
Bowling sweep leaves Pakistan reeling
India’s bowlers turned the match decisively, with Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar’s spin partner Chakravarthy each picking up two wickets. Saim Ayub was the lone bright spot for Pakistan with a tidy 3-25, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled to build partnerships and were ultimately undone by quality bowling and disciplined fielding.
Jasprit Bumrah produced a textbook yorker to remove a dangerous threat early, while Hardik Pandya bookended the chase by dismissing the last batter with a crisp finish. Pakistan’s top order never recovered after early setbacks and were seven down well before they could mount any meaningful recovery. The visitors managed only 114, a total that underlined India’s control in both departments of the game.
Implications for the tournament and the rivalry
The victory moves India into the Super 8s and keeps their campaign on track as the group stage concludes. For Pakistan, the loss extends a frustrating sequence in global tournaments against India and will raise questions about batting application and tactics, particularly on how they handle high-pressure chase situations.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav celebrated the team’s approach. “This is for India! We played the same brand of cricket that we wanted to play. The way Ishan Kishan batted is the same as he did in our previous games and on the domestic circuit, ” he said, adding that the side would regroup quickly and “think about that tomorrow. ”
The match also carried off-field context: it went ahead after a temporary boycott order was lifted, allowing Pakistan to take the field in a fixture that only takes place between the neighbours in multi-nation events at neutral venues. For fans and players alike, the game reinforced why encounters between these teams attract global attention — though this edition was notable for its one-sided nature.
India’s comprehensive showing combined a fearless batting display from Kishan with a multi-pronged bowling attack that choked momentum from the chase. As the tournament moves into its next phase, India will take both confidence and clearer tactical plans forward, while Pakistan must find answers quickly if they are to extend their stay in the competition.
