Ishan Kishan’s 40-ball 77 against Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday was not just a show of strength; it was a statement that changed the narrative surrounding India’s batting in the most intense rivalry in cricket history and won skipper Suryakumar Yadav high accolades.
Ishan Kishan’s attack moved India to 175 for 7 in the T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, paving the way for a decisive 61-run victory.
Ishan Kisshan’s achievement also had historical significance: although missing Virat Kohli’s record, the left-hander passed India head coach Gautam Gambhir on the list of players with the most individual scores in India-Pakistan T20 internationals, breaking into an elite group of players.
“Someone had to accept accountability”: SKY in response to Kishan’s counterattack
After losing a wicket, India was momentarily checked early, but Ishan Kishan’s quick and forceful response raised the innings’ ceiling and stabilized it.
“We played cricket the way we wanted to play it. On this wicket, it was advantageous to bat first. Ishan had an unconventional idea. Captain Suryakumar Yadav remarked, “After 0/1, someone had to take responsibility, and the manner he did it was great.”
Later, the captain emphasized the emotional tension that surrounds any India-Pakistan encounter by framing the triumph in terms of the country.
Following India’s significant victory, captain Suryakumar Yadav declared, “I think this is for India.”
Repaying the selection call, Kishan’s 77 changes the Indian ranking.
There was also a degree of selection intrigue to Kishan’s innings. In India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, he was selected before Shubman Gill, a choice that unavoidably attracted criticism considering Gill’s reputation and ability.
Kishan provided the most obvious explanation against Pakistan: a gutsy performance that blended crisp hitting with tactical acuity on a wicket that at first glance seemed challenging for strokeplay.
India’s 175 for 7 was not only competitive, but also decisive.
Pakistan’s powerplay breakdown renders the pursuit irreparable.
If Kishan’s innings established the conditions, India’s bowlers brutally enforced them.
The first overs caused Pakistan’s chase of 176 to fall apart. In the opening over, Hardik Pandya top-edged a slog to mid-on, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan for a duck. Then, with his second delivery, Jasprit Bumrah trapped Saim Ayub for six.
Pakistan was at 13 for 3 after captain Salman Agha followed for 4, and the game quickly shifted from pursuit to damage control.
In the fifth over, Pakistan was 34 for 4 after Axar Patel dismissed Babar Azam for 5, and the match already felt inevitable.
Usman Khan fights back, but one stumping puts an end to it.
Usman Khan, who made 44 from 34 balls with a six and six fours, offered Pakistan’s sole real resistance and momentarily stabilized an otherwise unsteady chase.
However, Kishan decisively tripped him as he charged down the pitch to Axar, which set off the final slide. At 78 for 7, Pakistan lost three wickets for five runs, effectively sealing the victory.
The final score for Pakistan was 114 after 18 overs.
Salman acknowledges his poor performance as Pakistan prepares for the next game.
“Our spinners had an off day,” Salman said after the loss, highlighting both tactical and emotional flaws, especially in the batsman’s powerplay and the ball’s lack of accuracy. In certain areas, execution was lacking. Our spinners have performed well over the past six months, so we have faith in them. We lost too many batsmanships during the powerplay. It was sticky and the ball was gripping during the first inning. The ball’s execution was lacking.
Compared to the first inning, pitch performed better in the second. Emotions will always be strong in these kinds of games. It must be dealt with. I have played enough such games. You have to look forward to your game in two days. You must win that match in order to advance to the Super Eights. Then there is another tournament,” Salman stated.
On paper, India won by 61 runs, but the bigger significance was in Kishan’s innings and the command with which he played it.
In a history and pressure-driven competition, he did more than just score runs. In the most brutal phase, he prompted a reassessment of India’s batting order, changed the record books, and passed Gambhir on a valuable list.
The conclusion for Suryakumar Yadav was straightforward: Kishan had acted as the situation required.
