Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has pointed out that Pakistan lost to their arch-rivals in the T20 World Cup 2026 by choosing to bowl first at the toss. Ashwin opined that the R. Premadasa Stadium is not a venue where teams can chase 100 runs in the final ten overs.
On a massively turning surface, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha opted to bowl first. With Ishan Kishan blasting away initially, he set things up for India to score 175/7 in 20 overs. In reply, the Men in Green folded for 114 as their innings lasted only 18 overs to lose by 61 runs.
Speaking in the video on his YouTube channel ‘Ash ki baat’, the 39-year-old reflected on how Australia struggled to score 170 against Zimbabwe. Ashwin stated that the Men in Green still struggle with tactical calls, and India are way ahead in that aspect.
“Where did they win to lose the plot? Pakistan lost the game when they opted to bowl first after winning the toss because we saw the match between Australia and Zimbabwe. Australia struggled to get 170. When we see IPL matches, teams win easily if they need 100 runs off the last 10 overs. But it’s not happening in this World Cup. In Premadasa Stadium, you can’t chase 100 in ten overs. The way Pakistan deals with pressure, India are 100 times better in that aspect. I don’t think Pakistan are there. Honestly, Pakistan have become tactically better under Salman Agha and Mike Hesson. But the way they brought Shaheen Afridi after Agha’s first over was a terrible mistake.”
The 106-Test veteran slammed Salman Agha for bringing in Shaheen Shah Afridi into the attack in the second over, especially against Ishan Kishan, who is proficient against that type of bowling. Ashwin elaborated:
“You took Abhishek Sharma’s wicket and he is leaking runs left, right and centre. We noted in the preview how dangerous Ishan Kishan is against left-arm seam. I feel cricketers need to be explained, ‘This is your match-up’. Data tells the truth. When you say Ishan is taking on left-arm seam, he is taking it on. I’m not saying don’t bowl left-arm seam to him but they must do something different. If Shaheen was getting whacked, I would’ve loved to see him come round the wicket to the left-hander. He didn’t do it and the second over should have been Saim Ayub.”
“The fast bowler released the pressure. India were 159 after 19 overs and Afridi was brought again and he leaked runs again. Afridi gave away 16 runs in the final over. Pakistan fielding first was the first mistake. Second mistake was Afridi’s insertion into the attack in the second over. Third mistake was the last over by Afridi. In batting, there is no application.”
Kishan opened his account with a six and played a game-changing knock of 77 off 40 deliveries, hammering 10 fours and three maximums. The keeper-batter had departed in the ninth over, allowing the Men in Blue to play risk-free cricket for the remainder of the innings.
“Pakistan batters didn’t use the crease or step down” – Ravichandran Ashwin
Speaking about the 2009 champions’ batting performance, Ashwin lamented their inability to try anything different, claiming they had the opportunity to attack Hardik Pandya. He explained:
“We explained in the preview that Sri Lanka assists finger spinners a lot more. In this game, finger spinners were more effective than wrist-spinners in terms of turn. Who can Pakistan attack from this Indian bowling unit? Hardik Pandya. But he bowled a maiden first up. Pandya can be attacked but how? Pakistan batters didn’t use the crease or step down. They played 2-3 dot balls and swung the bat and it was done. Pakistan lacked application and the ability to handle big-match pressure. Mohammad Nawaz bowled a delivery to Tilak Varma and he was one of their better bowlers.”
“He bowled a wide line when there was assistance available and it went for a four over extra cover. Shadab Khan consistently bowled on the pads to the left-hander. It would have gone for four byes had the batter left the ball. He also brought Usman Tariq late.”
The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer said the venue in Sri Lanka was the only one that was going to be tricky for India, who look unstoppable in this tournament.
“As a fan, India should have a really bad day on that particular instance for somebody to be able to challenge them in this World Cup. No team looks that way. In Colombo at R. Premadasa is the only issue for India. We won that game by 60 runs. It’s a follow-on like win. We can make Pakistan bat again and give Washington Sundar a bowling.”
Suryakumar Yadav and co. will face the Netherlands in their final group game on Wednesday in Ahmedabad.
Edited by Gokul Nair
