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India Crushes Pakistan by 61 Runs in T20 WC Thriller, Says Tendulkar

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar highlighted India's dominant Power-play as the key to their comprehensive 61-run victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. Ishan Kishan provided a blistering start with 77 runs off 40 deliveries, setting a strong platform. India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, then dismantled Pakistan's batting lineup early and often. Pakistan's innings faltered despite a fighting 44 from Usman Khan, collapsing in the final stages.

Key Points: India vs Pakistan T20 WC: Tendulkar Hails Power-play Dominance

  • Ishan Kishan's explosive 77 off 40 balls
  • Pakistan's batting collapse for 41 runs in last 5 wickets
  • Jasprit Bumrah's crucial two-wicket over
  • All-round bowling effort secures 61-run win
2 min read

T20 WC: The Power-play was where India took the game away from Pakistan, says Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar credits India's Power-play for a 61-run T20 World Cup win over Pakistan. Ishan Kishan's 77 and clinical bowling seal the victory.

"The Power-play was where India took the game away from them. - Sachin Tendulkar"

New Delhi, Feb 15

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar hailed India's all-round performance after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 co-hosts thrashed Pakistan by 61 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Kishan was the standout performer, blazing 77 off 40 balls with 10 fours and three sixes, while Saim Ayub's crafty spell of 3-25 kept Pakistan firmly in the contest.

Kishan's pyrotechnics at the top gave India the cushion to play within themselves through the middle overs. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav added 57 off 53 balls collectively to help India set a target of 176.

"The Power-play was where India took the game away from them. Ishan Kishan in the first innings, and the clinical bowling we saw in the second innings, made all the difference. We were always in the driver's seat. India rocked it tonight!" Tendulkar posted on X.

The demolition of Pakistan's batting started right from the first over as Hardik Pandya claimed the prized wicket of Shahibzada Farhan in the opening over with a hard length delivery.

Jasprit Bumrah then came back to strike two in his opening over. After getting smoked for a six in the first delivery, Bumrah bounced back with a swearing inswinging yorker to get rid of Ayub and then removed skipper Salman Agha on the last delivery.

Wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan was the lone warrior for Pakistan with 44, stitching a partnership with Babar Azam for 21 runs and then with Shadab Khan for 39 runs. The middle order completely collapsed for Pakistan as India took the centre stage. Axar Patel got rid of Azam (5) and then Khan with a tossed-up delivery.

Kuldeep Yadav cleaned out Mohmmad Nawaz as Tilak Varma, bowling for the first time in the tournament, got the wicket of all-rounder Shadab Khan. The lower order completely collapsed as Pakistan lost the last five wickets for mere 41 runs.

Pandya, Chakravarthy, Bumrah, Kuldeep, and Axar Patel took wickets each as India won the match by 61 runs.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
What a clinical performance! Bumrah's comeback in that over after being hit for a six was pure class. The bowling unit is looking lethal. Feeling proud! 😊
R
Rohit P
Great win, but let's not get carried away. The middle overs batting was a bit slow. Tilak and SKY took 53 balls for 57. Against top teams, we need to keep the momentum going. Just a respectful observation.
S
Sarah B
Watching from the US! The energy was incredible. Ishan Kishan's innings was a treat. The way India dominated from the first over was something else. Well done, Team India!
V
Vikram M
Hardik's early wicket was crucial. Broke their backbone right at the start. When the Master Blaster says we rocked it, you know it was special! On to the next one 💪
K
Kavya N
The entire colony was shouting when Bumrah took those two wickets! The atmosphere was electric. Feeling so happy for the team. They played like champions today. 🎉

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