IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kishan Plays His Best World Cup Innings
Ishan Kishan IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed a special innings from Ishan Kishan who played one of his best ever innings in a World Cup. On a pitch turning sharply in Colombo in which Kishan was the only batsman who seemed completely in control against Pakistan’s powerful spin attack.
Pakistan began the match with a freakish method. They employed spin early in the powerplay, particularly off-spinners, to give India’s top-order some trouble. India had three left-handed batsmen at the top, and Pakistan wanted to exploit that match-up. IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026
Of the three left-handers, only Ishan Kishan caressed his way to freedom. But even his innings hadn’t been without its early risks. IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026
Shaky Start Becomes Pure Dominance
Kishan began aggressively. He bludgeoned the first ball of pace over square leg for a six. But on the very next ball, Shaheen Afridi almost got rid of him and the ball under-edged past the off-stump.
Kishan went on the offensive once again when Salman Agha was introduced into the attack. He struck the ball hard and straight down the ground, but also mistimed a couple that just cleared the rope. India were 30 for 1 in four overs, and Kishan’s innings could still have gone either way. IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026
Then came the turning point.
Left-arm leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was introduced into the attack. The ball was turning into Kishan’s arc, something which suited the left-hander. On the very first ball, Kishan clobbered a solid slog sweep for six over deep midwicket. An over later, he glanced a gorgeous boundary through the covers.
Adi Kishan ran the show in the IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 outing from there.
Attacking After the Powerplay
The final two overs of the powerplay cost 11 runs apiece. But Kishan did not stop at that and went for even more carnage immediately after the field restrictions were lifted. IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026
He took Abrar apart again, hitting him for three boundaries in one over. He also took on Shadab Khan, hitting a six over deep midwicket and a four off short fine leg. IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026
Pakistan looked to stem the run flow by bringing on spinners but Kishan continued attacking wisely. He scored on either side of the wicket, giving bowlers no one place to settle.
Kishan was eventually caught in the ninth over after scoring 77 runs of mere 41 deliveries. Moments before, on his way out, he had played a crunching reverse sweep. Aggressive shots, sure, but smart strike rotation too were all part of his innings. IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026
A Record-Breaking Knock
Kishan’s 77 was more than important — it was dominant.
When he got out, he’d made 77 of India’s 88 runs. That 87 percent of the team’s total at that point.
When Kishan got out, India was scoring at 10.1 to the over. At the fall of his wicket, the run rate was 7.6.
His strike of 193 is the highest by any player in a 40-plus-ball innings at Khettarama.
His 27-ball fifty is also the fastest in an India v Pakistan World Cup match.
In the IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026,while Kishan was in middle the crease.Pakistan boweled almost to spon. He scored 66 runs from 37 balls against spin, the second most against spin at this venue.
Improvement Against Spin
Kishan had a weakness against spin earlier in his career. He was dropped from the Indian team in 2023 in part because his strike rate against slow bowlers was just 138. IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026
But that is entirely different now, once he rejoined the team in advance of this World Cup. His strike rate against spin since his comeback is an impressive 214. IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026
Although he hit his spin at 178 in this match, that pulls his recent record down a fraction of a run — an indication not only of how strong that form has been but how high the base was.
Praise From the Opposition
Kishan’s fearless batting also earned Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson’s praise.
Kishan can score all around the ground and he is not a leg-side player exclusively,” he said. Hesson also stated that Kishan’s form kept the Pakistani spinners under constant pressure and deviated them from their original plans. IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026
The pitch was conducive to the bowlers, but Kishan was the only batter who scored better than run-a-ball.
The Hard Road Back
To make his way back into the Indian team Kishan had to shine in domestic cricket. While leading Jharkhand in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 517 runs with the strike rate reading 197.
Kishan, on his part, didn’t rely solely on IPL as a comeback vehicle - he put in the hard yards in domestic tournaments. That path through the jungle may have made him tougher mentally, though.
He showed confidence, ability and responsibility under difficult conditions in the match between IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026.
For now, Ishan Kishan has played his best World Cup knock PROFFERING HIM MODULATION TO SILENCE. And if this continues, he could light up the rest of the tournament as well.”
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