India Light Up Colombo in a High-Voltage Night Against Pakistan

There are cricket matches, and then there are India–Pakistan nights. And when the stage is the roaring ICC T20 World Cup and the venue is the buzzing R. Premadasa Stadium, you know something special is about to unfold.

Colombo witnessed one such electric evening as India outplayed Pakistan in every department, winning by a thumping 61 runs. It wasn’t just a victory. It was a statement. It was confidence, flair, and fearless cricket stitched together in blue.

The Small Dynamo Who Lit Up the Night

If cricket is about heart, then Ishan Kishan showed that size truly doesn’t matter. The “small dynamo” from India walked in with purpose and left Pakistan chasing shadows. His 77 off just 40 balls wasn’t just an innings — it was a celebration of bold cricket.

From the moment he stepped out and lofted Pakistan’s premier quick over the infield, the tone was set. He danced down the track, cut with precision, pulled with authority, and pierced gaps like he had a map of the field in his mind. Boundaries flowed. The Pakistani bowlers tried pace, they tried spin, they tried angles — but Ishan kept answering with fearless stroke play.

He reached his half-century in just 27 balls. But what stood out wasn’t only the shots; it was his hunger between the wickets. Quick singles turned into twos. Pressure kept building. Pakistan could feel it.

On a pitch that wasn’t entirely flat, 175 looked like gold. And Ishan was the man who mined it.

Scorecard

India

Pakistan

Surya’s Calm Fire and Tilak’s Balance

Leading from the front, Suryakumar Yadav brought composure in the middle overs. He didn’t go wild — he didn’t need to. His knock was about holding the innings together after early movement with the new ball. He rotated strike beautifully, unsettled the spinners with clever angles, and ensured there was no dip in momentum.

At the other end, Tilak Varma played the perfect supporting act. Calm, assured, and mature beyond his years, Tilak soaked up pressure and allowed Ishan to keep attacking. Their partnership built the backbone of India’s total.

When Pakistan tried to claw back with a couple of quick wickets, India had more firepower waiting.

Shivam Dube’s Late Thunder

Enter Shivam Dube.

With broad shoulders and a fearless swing, Dube added the final punch. His quick 27 off 17 balls made sure India didn’t slow down at the death. He muscled the ball into the stands and punished anything short or wide.

Those late runs hurt. In T20 cricket, 10–15 extra runs can feel like 30. Pakistan would soon realise that.

India finished at 175/7 — competitive, confident, and ready.

Indian Bowlers Turned Into Hawks

If the batters built the castle, the bowlers guarded it like hawks circling their prey.

The moment Pakistan began their chase, India struck. Hardik Pandya removed the opener early, and then came the sharp sting from Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah doesn’t just bowl — he hunts. His precision, awkward angles, and calm aggression rattled the top order.

Pakistan were suddenly 38/4 inside the powerplay.

When Babar tried to rebuild, Axar Patel stepped in. Tight lines, clever variations, and relentless pressure. Dot balls mounted. Frustration grew. A mistimed shot followed.

The spinners joined the party. Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery deliveries turned sharply. Kuldeep teased with flight. Every over squeezed hope out of Pakistan’s chase.

By the time the innings ended at 114, it felt inevitable. India hadn’t just defended a total — they had dominated.

More Than Just a Win

This wasn’t just another group-stage match in the ICC T20 World Cup. It was a reminder of why India thrives in big moments. The balance in the team stood out — youth and experience blending beautifully.

Ishan’s fearless energy. Surya’s captaincy calm. Tilak’s maturity. Dube’s power. Bumrah’s surgical brilliance.

The joy in the stands told its own story. Blue flags waving. Fans singing. Strangers hugging after every wicket. That’s what this rivalry does — it unites millions in emotion.

India now march confidently into the Super 8 stage, unbeaten and brimming with belief.

What Made This Win Special?

• Fearless batting under pressure

• Smart partnerships at crucial phases

• Relentless bowling from start to finish

• Fielding intensity that never dipped

• A team performance where everyone contributed

This was not about one hero — though Ishan shone brightest. It was about a team playing for each other, playing for the flag.

On nights like these, cricket feels bigger than sport. It feels like poetry written with leather and willow.

And for Indian fans, Colombo will be remembered as the night the Men in Blue soared like hawks and roared like champions.

Teams:

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

Pakistan (Playing XI): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

Ishan Kishan (Player of the Match)

“The pitch wasn’t the easiest to handle, so I backed my strengths and focused on watching the ball closely. My aim was to make the fielders work, use the big outfield, and keep finding gaps to keep the scoreboard moving. I’ve spent time improving my off? side game, which helps me dictate where bowlers need to bowl. On a ground like this, running hard for twos becomes a big part of the plan, especially when setting up a total. We felt 160–170 would be competitive, and in an India–Pakistan clash, delivering for the country always feels special.
Bumrah and Hardik were outstanding—Jassi’s skills with both new ball and at the death were on display, and Hardik executed his plans perfectly in tough conditions.”

IND vs ENG ICC U19 World Cup Final: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 175 Leads India to 411/9

India posted a record-breaking total of 411 for 9 in the ICC Under-19 World Cup final against England, powered by a sensational 175 off 80 balls from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at Harare.

The 14-year-old opener produced the highest individual score ever in an ICC Under-19 World Cup final, striking 15 fours and 15 sixes at a strike rate of 218.75. His century came in just 55 balls, making it the fastest hundred in a U19 final.

After winning the toss, India opted to bat first — a decision that proved decisive within the first ten overs. Openers got India off to a fluent start, but it was Sooryavanshi who immediately seized control of the contest. England’s new-ball bowlers attempted to probe early with movement and pace, yet the 14-year-old responded with confident strokeplay on both sides of the wicket. Despite frequent bowling changes and varied field placements, England were unable to contain the young batter, who showed composure and power well beyond his age.

Sooryavanshi’s method stood out. He didn’t rely solely on power; instead, he combined clean footwork with early shot selection. Short balls were pulled with authority, full deliveries were driven straight or through cover, and anything drifting onto the pads was dispatched into the leg-side stands. England rotated their bowlers frequently, but the change of pace and angle made little difference.

The century arrived in just 55 balls — the fastest ever in an Under-19 World Cup final — and by then England’s field had spread wide. Rather than consolidate, Sooryavanshi accelerated further, targeting the shorter boundaries and exploiting gaps with precision. His boundary count told the story: 15 fours and 15 sixes, an extraordinary balance that reflected control as much as aggression.

England finally found relief when Manny Lumsden induced a leg-side glove, with Thomas Rew completing the catch behind the stumps. By then, however, the damage was overwhelming. Sooryavanshi was eventually dismissed for 175, India were 251 for 3 in the 26th over, and England’s bowlers had already logged exhausting spells.

Captain Ayush Mhatre played a crucial supporting role. While Sooryavanshi dominated, Mhatre’s 53 off 51 balls ensured stability at the other end. His innings included well-timed singles and boundary options that prevented England from focusing entirely on the younger batter.

The middle order added valuable momentum. Kundu’s 40 off 31 balls kept the run rate above eight an over, while Kanishk’s unbeaten 37 off just 20 deliveries provided late acceleration. Vihaan’s 30 added substance during a brief consolidation phase. Though wickets fell in the latter overs, England were unable to claw the scoring rate back significantly.

From a bowling perspective, England showed resilience despite the punishment. Rew marshalled his resources diligently, mixing defensive fields with attacking bursts. Lumsden and Rehan Ahmed managed breakthroughs, and the final ten overs yielded some success, but the total had already ballooned beyond control.

Sooryavanshi became only the sixth batter to score a century in an Under-19 World Cup final and surpassed Unmukt Chand’s previous record score of 111. The innings added to his growing reputation, following a record IPL century and earlier success against England in youth internationals.

India’s commanding batting performance left England requiring a record chase in the final.

And India lift their sixth ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup title under captain Ayush Mhatre’s leadership with an outstanding performance by the youngsters.

And the top batters in the ICC U19 World Cup are

Under the lights at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, the Women’s Premier League final delivered everything a cricket lover could ask for — big runs, brave bowling, nerves stretched thin, and a chase that will be spoken about for years. In the end, it was Royal Challengers Bengaluru who stood tall, chasing down 203 against Delhi Capitals to lift their second WPL title, powered by a heroic innings from Smriti Mandhana.

DC Batting: Bold, Brave, and Nearly Perfect

Delhi Capitals won the toss and chose to bat — a decision that seemed spot on as their top order came out with intent. Shafali Verma set the tone early with her trademark aggression, while Lizelle Lee provided balance, helping DC race to 49 inside the powerplay. Though both fell in quick succession, the platform was firmly laid.

The innings truly found its rhythm when Laura Wolvaardt and captain Jemimah Rodrigues stitched together a crucial 76-run partnership. Wolvaardt’s fluent 44 off 25 kept the scoreboard ticking, but it was Jemimah who anchored the innings with poise. Her 57 off 37 balls was a captain’s knock — calm under pressure, decisive when needed.

Just when it seemed DC might slow down, Chinelle Henry launched a late assault, smashing an unbeaten 35 off 15, pushing Delhi past the psychological 200-run mark. At 203/4, it was the highest total ever in a WPL final — and it felt massive.

RCB Bowling: Damage Control with Discipline

RCB’s bowlers had a tough evening, but they held their nerve when it mattered. Lauren Bell’s spell of 0/19 in four overs stood out like gold dust in a high-scoring final, applying pressure through sheer control. The rest of the attack focused on containment rather than miracles, ensuring DC didn’t run away to something unchaseable.

RCB Batting: Smriti Mandhana Takes Over History

Chasing 204 in a final is never easy. When Grace Harris fell early, a familiar RCB nervousness threatened to creep in. What followed instead was one of the greatest partnerships in WPL history.

Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll didn’t just chase the target — they hunted it down. Voll’s 79 off 54 was fearless and composed, but this night belonged to Mandhana. Battling a severe flu, she produced an innings of staggering clarity and courage — 87 off 41 balls, filled with timing, placement, and authority.

Mandhana reached her half-century in just 23 balls, her fastest in the WPL, and then dismantled DC’s spin attack with surgical precision. Sweeps, inside-out lofts, late cuts — every shot came with intent and assurance. The 165-run partnership drained the life out of Delhi’s bowling and turned pressure into belief.

By the time Mandhana fell in the penultimate over, RCB were already at the doorstep. With 10 needed off the final over, calm heads prevailed, and the winning runs were struck to spark wild celebrations.

DC Bowling: Fight Till the Last Ball

To DC’s credit, they never gave up. Chinelle Henry picked up 2/34, including the prized wicket of Mandhana, while the rest of the attack kept searching for an opening that never truly came. On another day, 203 would have been enough. This just wasn’t that day.

Champions Once Again

RCB finished the tournament as the most complete side, topping the league stage and delivering when it mattered most. Smriti Mandhana, the tournament’s Orange Cap winner with 377 runs, led from the front — not just with runs, but with heart.

For Delhi Capitals, it was another painful final loss, but their cricket deserved respect. They played bold, fearless cricket all season and pushed the champions to their absolute limits.

On a night when records fell and courage rose, women’s cricket won — and Smriti Mandhana reminded the world what leadership under pressure truly looks like.

Women’s Premier League 2026 Top Performers

• Orange Cap: Smriti Mandhana (RCB)
• Purple Cap: Sophie Devine (GG)
• Most Valuable Player: Sophie Devine (GG)
• Emerging Player of the Season: Nandani Sharma (DC)