India thrash Pakistan by 61 runs to storm into Super 8s
A commanding performance from the co-hosts delivered a 61-run victory over Pakistan in a Group A T20 World Cup fixture, sending India through to the Super 8s. The match was staged after the Pakistan government lifted a prior directive for a boycott, allowing full participation on the big stage.
Dominant batting display sets the tone
India elected to bat and posted a competitive 175 for 7, paced by an inventive and aggressive innings from Ishan Kishan. Kishan top-scored with a stylish 77, taking early control of the powerplay and keeping the scoreboard ticking through the middle overs. Senior players and the middle order contributed with timely hits that prevented Pakistan from building sustained pressure.
The approach from the Indian batters was clear: take the game on from ball one. That mindset produced quick runs and forced fielders into the deep from the outset, reducing options for defensive bowling changes. The pitch offered enough for strokeplay, and India exploited the conditions to post a total they believed was above par.
Clinical bowling caps the rout
Chasing 176, Pakistan never recovered. A disciplined Indian attack struck early and often, ripping through the chase to bowl Pakistan out for 114. Jasprit Bumrah led the charge with two vital wickets and incisive pace at key moments. Hardik Pandya chipped in with two wickets, while Axar Patel and debutant Varun Chakravarthy each added two victims to complete a shared bowling dismantling.
Saim took the most wickets for Pakistan with three for 25 in India’s innings, providing brief resistance with the ball, but the home side’s collective effort proved decisive. The visiting batting line-up struggled to build partnerships, and when one batter looked set another fell, leaving the chase fragmented and ultimately futile.
Implications for the tournament and the clash ahead
The comprehensive win confirms India’s progression from Group A into the Super 8 stage. With momentum on their side and several players firing in both departments, India will be buoyed by the balance shown between power hitting and disciplined bowling. The team’s captain reflected on a collective performance, praising the intent displayed in the powerplay and signalling a relaxed, focused mindset as the tournament progresses.
For Pakistan, the defeat is a setback but not an elimination. The team must regroup quickly, address batting frailties, and seek more consistent partnerships if they are to rebound in the remaining group fixtures. The two nations could still meet again later in the competition should both progress, which would set up a high-stakes rematch with added narrative and tension.
Beyond this match, the T20 World Cup schedule tightens with more group-stage fixtures to come. Teams will look to sharpen their combinations and exploit different match-ups as the tournament moves toward knockout intensity. For India, the challenge will be to maintain the clarity of intent and execution shown here; for Pakistan, recovery and adjustment will be the immediate priority.
The emphatic nature of this result underlines the fine margins in tournament cricket: a single dominant display can swing momentum dramatically. India’s blend of aggressive batting and shared bowling responsibilities has put them in a strong position as the Super 8s loom.
