New Delhi: India produced a commanding display against Pakistan in their Group A clash of the 2026 T20 World Cup in Colombo, sealing a comprehensive 61 run victory and confirming a place in the Super 8 stage. Rather than engaging in verbal exchanges, captain Suryakumar Yadav set the tone with a message of composure during a pre fielding huddle. He instructed teammates to avoid sledging and focus purely on execution as they prepared to defend 175 for 7.
India’s innings was anchored by a steady 32 from Suryakumar, who batted until the 19th over to ensure stability after early wickets. Ishan Kishan provided the main thrust with the bat, while the bowling unit delivered a collective performance. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya led the pace attack effectively, supported well by the spinners as Pakistan were restricted well short of the target.
Suryakumar’s leadership drew praise for its situational awareness and maturity. Earlier in the tournament, he had rescued India from a precarious 77 for 6 against the United States. Against Pakistan, he walked in with the team at 88 for 2 and ensured there was no collapse, balancing strike rotation with controlled aggression. Though his strike rate was measured, his approach allowed others to play more freely while maintaining scoreboard pressure.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar commended Suryakumar’s understanding of match conditions and tempo, noting that T20 cricket requires smart risk management rather than reckless hitting.
With this emphatic win, India improved their head to head record over Pakistan in T20 World Cup meetings to 8 to 1, reinforcing their dominance on the global stage.
