In a high-octane clash that lived up to its billing, India extended their psychological edge over arch-rivals Pakistan with a commanding 61-run victory at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This Match 27 of Group A, held on February 15, 2026, was more than just a win; it was a statement of intent as the Men in Blue officially secured their spot in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. However, despite the celebratory atmosphere in the stands, the final moments on the field were marked by uncharacteristic tension between some of India’s senior players.
Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav rebuke Kuldeep Yadav
While the scorecard reflected a clinical performance, an unexpected visual emerged after Hardik Pandya scalped the final wicket to bowl out Pakistan for 114. As the Indian contingent gathered to celebrate their entry into the next round, the cameras caught Hardik looking visibly miffed. Instead of a standard high-five, he was seen reprimanding spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The intensity didn’t stop there; captain Suryakumar Yadav also approached Kuldeep, seemingly expressing his displeasure in a stern manner.
The friction reportedly stemmed from a lapse in the 18th over. Shaheen Afridi had launched a short delivery from Hardik toward the long-on boundary. Kuldeep, stationed right at the edge, appeared to have settled under the ball, but the catch fumbled through his fingers and over the ropes for a six.
The frustration shown by the leadership group highlights the high standards set for this World Cup campaign. Even as Rinku Singh stepped in to play the peacemaker and Tilak Varma looked on with concern, the message was clear: in a tournament of this magnitude, even a harmless dropped catch can be the difference between a trophy and a heartbreak.
Here’s the video:
Here is video of Hardik Pandya & Surya Kumar Yadav angry on Kuldeep Yadav #INDvsPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/BsGCCprKNc
— cricketkayudh (@cricketkayudh) February 15, 2026
India’s dominant win against Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026
Despite the post-match drama, India’s performance was nothing short of a masterclass. After being put in to bat on a sluggish Colombo track, India lost Abhishek Sharma early for a duck. However, Ishan Kishan turned the tide with a blistering 77 off just 40 balls, dismantling the Pakistani pace attack and setting the foundation for a total of 175/7. Contributions from Suryakumar (32) and Shivam Dube (27) ensured India stayed well above the par score.
Pakistan’s chase never found its rhythm. Pandya set the tone by taking a wicket in his very first over, removing Sahibzada Farhan. The Indian bowling unit operated like a well-oiled machine. Pakistan was eventually bundled out for 114 in 18 overs, marking India’s 8th win in 9 T20 World Cup meetings against their neighbors. With three wins in three games, India moves to the top of Group A, while Pakistan now face a must-win scenario against Namibia to keep their tournament hopes alive.
