Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar commended the national team’s impressive performance against Pakistan during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He emphasized the crucial role of the powerplay in shaping the match. Tendulkar noted that India maintained control throughout, with standout contributions from players like Ishan Kishan.
His remarks highlighted the effective execution of strategies that led to their victory, stating, “The powerplay was where India took the game away from them.” Tendulkar shared these thoughts on X, affirming that the team was consistently in a commanding position.
Sehwag’s Strong Praise for Ishan Kishan
Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag also reacted positively to the team’s performance, specifically praising Ishan Kishan for his significant impact on the game. In a post on X, Sehwag described Kishan as a true performer, stating, “Ishan Kishan played like a real Dhurandhar.” He further remarked on Pakistan’s inability to adapt to modern T20 cricket, implying that their approach rendered them vulnerable to defeat. His remarks highlighted the gulf in performance between the two teams, suggesting that Pakistan struggled against India’s superior tactics.
Match Overview
In the match itself, Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first. Following a rocky start with Abhishek out without scoring, Ishan Kishan emerged as a key player for India, scoring a powerful 77 runs. Alongside Kishan, Tilak Varma contributed a steady 25 runs. Despite initial setbacks, the Indian batting lineup stabilized, finishing their innings with a total of 175 runs for 7 wickets. Saim Ayub from Pakistan secured the best bowling figures, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs.
Pakistan’s Struggles in the Run Chase
During the chase, Pakistan found themselves in trouble early on, reduced to 34 runs for 4 wickets following effective bowling from Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Axar Patel. Usman Khan was a lone fighter for Pakistan, scoring 44 runs off 34 balls, but his efforts were not enough to stave off defeat as the team was bundled out for just 114 runs in 18 overs. Axar Patel was the standout bowler for India, claiming 2 wickets for 29 runs in 4 overs. Other key contributors included Hardik Pandya, Bumrah, and Varun Chakaravarthy, each taking 2 wickets.
Group A Standings Update
With this decisive win over Pakistan, India continues to assert its dominance in the tournament, leading Group A with three consecutive victories. Pakistan’s loss leaves them in third position with two wins and one defeat, while the USA holds second place with an equal record of two wins and two losses. This match further solidifies India’s reputation as a formidable competitor in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.