The T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan was high-voltage, as always, but this time it was Ishan Kishan who was the most talked about.
He devastated Pakistan’s bowlers by smashing 77 runs off 40 balls at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Pakistan’s attack shaken by power hitting
Ishan Kishan started the match aggressively. He dealt Pakistan the first major blow of the innings with a magnificent six off fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. After that, he showed no mercy to the spin attack either.
Ishan was dismissed after scoring 77 runs off 40 balls, which included 10 fours and 3 sixes. He hit shots to every corner of the field.
Opening with him, Abhishek Sharma, couldn’t do much in this big match and was dismissed four balls without scoring. This was his second consecutive duck in the tournament.
But Ishan took charge at the other end. He reached his fifty in just 27 balls.
He scored 42 runs in the first six overs, or the powerplay itself.
This became the highest score by an Indian batsman in the powerplay in India-Pakistan T20I matches. Previously, this record was held by Shubman Gill.
Ishan third on the list after Kohli
This score by Ishan Kishan has become the third-highest individual score by an Indian batsman in a T20 International against Pakistan.
Topping the list is Virat Kohli, who scored 82* in Melbourne in 2022. Kohli is also second, with 78* in Colombo in 2012. Now, Ishan’s name has joined the list at number three with 77 runs.
There was a moment during this innings when the Pakistani crowd went completely silent. Although Saim Ayub later bowled him out, he had already done his job.
Thanks to Ishan’s blistering innings, India set a target of 176 runs. The match was intense, with the two teams battling it out until the final overs. Statistically, this innings will be remembered for a long time.
