India thrash Pakistan by 61 runs in ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash

The Indian cricket team secured a commanding 61-run victory over Pakistan in the 27th Match of Group A at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. With a decent batting performance, India loss the toss and were asked to bat first. They scored 175 runs in their innings which is an impressive score of 8.75 runs per over. The Indian team, with some aggressive batting and sensible batting partnerships, placed a lot of pressure on the Pakistani bowling side from the very first over.

India had a good start during the first powerplay with a score of 52 runs in the first 6 overs, this allowed the middle and lower order to accelerate. Ishan Kishan was the stand-out performer for India with a fantastic innings of 77 runs off 40 balls, hitting 10 fours and 3 sixes with a strike rate of 192.50. Tilak Varma scored 25 runs from 24 balls and Suryakumar Yadav scored a valuable 32 runs from 29 balls. Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh provided some late innings hitting, scoring 27 runs and 11 runs respectively, allowing India to finish their innings strongly. Despite losing wickets regularly throughout the innings, the partnerships formed throughout by the Indian players helped India to get to a total that was too high for Pakistan to chase down.

Pakistan started positively, scoring 57 runs off the first 6 overs in their innings, led by Usman Khan's fluent 44 runs from 34 balls. The top order of Babar Azam struggled to get runs off the disciplined bowling performances from the Indian bowlers and lost wickets at crucial stages of the match. Shaheen Afridi remained unbeaten on 23 runs with the required run rate increasing throughout the innings, leading to gaps in the Pakistan middle-order and lower-order batting lineups. 

See Also: Watch: Fall of wickets from India's 61-run win vs Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026

India’s bowlers dominate to secure victory

India’s bowling attack delivered an exceptional performance, dismantling Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs. Hardik Pandya led with figures of 3 overs, 16 runs, and 2 wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah supported with 2 wickets for 17 runs. Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy claimed two wickets each, with Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Varma chipping in at crucial moments. Early breakthroughs put Pakistan on the back foot, and continuous pressure in the middle overs prevented any significant recovery, ultimately ensuring a comprehensive win for India.

The 61-run victory highlighted India’s balance and dominance across both disciplines. Ishan Kishan’s explosive innings, coupled with contributions from the middle and lower order, laid a solid platform. Pakistan’s regular loss of wickets under pressure prevented a chase of substance. The win not only strengthened India’s position in Group A but also showcased the team’s depth, adaptability, and ability to execute plans under pressure, setting a confident tone for their upcoming fixtures in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Top Performances

Ishan Kishan was the standout performer with a scintillating 77 off 40 balls, smashing 10 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 192.50. Suryakumar Yadav contributed 32 off 29 deliveries, while Shivam Dube’s 27 off 17 balls and Rinku Singh’s 11* provided late acceleration. On the bowling front, Hardik Pandya took 2 wickets for 16 runs, Jasprit Bumrah also bagged 2 wickets for 17, while Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy struck twice each, ensuring Pakistan never recovered from early setbacks.

Key Moments

India capitalized on the powerplay, reaching 52 runs in six overs, and built steady partnerships that kept the scoreboard ticking. Early breakthroughs from Pandya and Bumrah broke Pakistan’s top order, putting them on the back foot. Despite Usman Khan’s 44, regular wickets at crucial stages prevented any significant chase. Shadley van Schalkwyk and the Indian bowlers applied relentless pressure in the death overs, ultimately restricting Pakistan to 114 and sealing a comprehensive 61-run victory.

Brief Score

India: 175/7 (20 overs)
Pakistan: 114/10 (18 overs)
Result: India won by 61 runs – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Group A