17 February,2026 08:14 AM IST | Colombo | AFP
Axar Patel. Pic/AFP
India vice-captain Axar Patel credited Ishan Kishan for his side's 61-run rout of Pakistan on Sunday, saying the opening batsman's performance on a tricky turning wicket in Colombo had been "one of the gear knocks". Kishan hit 10 fours and three sixes in his 40-ball 77, the mainstay of India's 175-7 at the R. Premadasa stadium. "The way he batted was sensational," Axar told reporters.
"It is one of the great knocks as it wasn't easy. The ball was spinning and some were going straight under the lights. It was a challenge." Following the crushing win in the most high profile game in the competition, India are through to the second round with a game remaining. Wicketkeeper-batsman Kishan has scored two half-centuries in three games in the competition.
He was recalled after being in the wilderness for more than two years and made a statement against New Zealand with a hundred in a T20 international a fortnight ago. "His form was sensational in domestic cricket and he carried that into the New Zealand series and then to the World Cup." said Axar. "There's a lot of confidence and obviously he has got skill too. He has not hit all his shots in one place as he can score all around the ground." India bowled out Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs. The wickets were shared among the bowlers and Axar claimed two wickets including top-scorer Usman Khan.
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