In a blistering display of batting brilliance at the R. Premadasa Stadium, India‘s explosive opener Ishan Kishan has redefined aggression against the arch-rivals Pakistan. Rising to the T20 World Cup 2026 occasion on February 15, 2026, he transformed the high-pressure atmosphere of Colombo into his personal playground, dismantling a potent bowling attack with surgical precision. His masterclass in boundary-hitting ensured that despite an early setback, the momentum shifted firmly back toward the Men in Blue.
Ishan Kishan’s 77 vs Pakistan earns him spot in elite list with Virat Kohli and Gaitam Gambhir
By smashing a breathtaking 77 off just 40 balls, Kishan has officially joined an elite and exclusive bracket of Indian legends. He becomes only the fourth Indian batter to score a half-century against Pakistan in T20 World Cup history, etching his name alongside Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli and Robin Uthappa. Kishan’s innings was particularly significant as he neutralized the ‘mystery’ spin of Usman Tariq and the off-spin of Salman Agha, who had earlier removed Abhishek Sharma for a duck. His 10 fours and 3 sixes not only propelled India to a commanding position but also made him the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter to achieve this milestone in the tournament’s history.
| Batter | Score | Venue/Year | Match Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robin Uthappa | 50 (39) | Durban, 2007 | Group Stage |
| Gautam Gambhir | 75 (54) | Johannesburg, 2007 | Final |
| Virat Kohli | 78 (61)* | Colombo, 2012 | Group Stage |
| Virat Kohli | 55 (37)* | Kolkata, 2016 | Group Stage |
| Virat Kohli | 57 (49) | Dubai, 2021 | Group Stage |
| Virat Kohli | 82 (53)* | Melbourne, 2022 | Group Stage |
| Ishan Kishan | 77 (40) | Colombo, 2026 | Group Stage |
Saim Ayub stalls India’s momentum in T20 World Cup 2026 clash
The high-octane clash began with a frosty ‘no-handshake’ policy at the toss, but India quickly seized control through Kishan’s historic 77-run blitz. However, the game has taken a dramatic turn in the middle overs as Pakistan’s Saim Ayub engineered a stunning collapse to drag his side back into the contest. After removing a cramping Kishan in the 9th over, Ayub returned in the 15th to remove Tilak Varma (25) and Hardik Pandya (0) on consecutive deliveries, leaving India reeling at 126/4. Kishan has been the undeniable star of India’s 2026 campaign so far, adding this masterclass to his 24-ball 61 against Namibia, but the pressure now rests entirely on captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube to salvage the innings in the death overs.
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