New Delhi: Defending champions India sent a strong message to the cricketing world by beating Pakistan by 61 runs in a high-stakes Group A match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, securing their spot in the Super Eights. “I think it’s for India,” skipper said Suryakumar Yadav After India’s big victory.
“We are playing the same brand of cricket that we want to play. Batting first on this wicket is a better option. Ishan thought of something creative. After 0/1, someone has to take responsibility and the way he handled it was amazing.”The decisive moment came when Ishan Kishan smashed a stunning 77 off 40 balls, including 10 fours and 3 sixes, to put India in a dominant position. Tilak Varma (25) and Suryakumar Yadav (32) provided crucial support to ensure India reached 175/7 in challenging conditions. Shivam Dube bowled a quick 27 runs in the death over to take the total to 176.Pakistan’s response never progressed. Hardik Pandya Batting in the first over, Sahibzada Farhan hit a four-ball duck. Jasprit Bumrah then broke the top order, sending Saim Ayub and captain Salman Agha back to the pavilion within two overs. Usman Khan provided resistance with a slick 44 to seam Babar Azam and Shadab Khan, but his defeat of Axar Patel ended any faint hopes of a comeback.The Indian bowlers worked together and were ruthless. Kuldeep Yadav trapped Mohammad Nawaz, Tilak Varma removed Shadab Khan and Varun Chakaravarthy added two late wickets. Pandya, after seeing a couple of catches fall off the bowling, dismissed Usman Tariq at mid-stump to ensure the finale. Pakistan lost 114 in just 18 overs, their third-lowest total in the T20 World Cup.“It’s nice to see everyone contribute to the ball,” Surya said. “We will go back, have a good time together as a team and then think about other games when we fly to Ahmedabad,” he said.
