T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Indian team put Pakistan in a washing machine’ – Former captain’s huge statement after IND vs PAK clash

India registered a comprehensive win against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, February 15.

The Men in Blue batted first after losing the toss. Ishan Kishan played a blinder of an innings, amassing 77 off 40 balls, with the help of 10 fours and three sixes. Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube also played handy knocks as India finished on 175/6 in their 20 overs.

In reply, Pakistan lost four wickets in the powerplay and never really recovered. The Men in Green were eventually bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, with four Indian bowlers picking up two wickets apiece.

Sunil Gavaskar used the example of a washing machine as he described India’s dominance against Pakistan in front of a packed stadium in Colombo.

“It is a massive win. Pakistan dismissed with a couple of overs to spare shows you the complete dominance that the Indian team had. It was annihilation. The Indian team put Pakistan in a washing machine. That’s what they did,” he said in an exclusive interview with Sports Today.

Gavaskar mentioned that the Indian players have better skills compared to their Pakistani counterparts. He also said that the Indian team deals with pressure better than their arch-rivals.

“There will be the odd occasion where the skill level might be the same. But otherwise, man for man, the Indian team is better in terms of skills. Then you are that much more confident temperamentally as well to come up with answers to any question. Despite Abhishek going in the first over and spin being on offer, the manner in which Ishan Kishan took the game away from them and the smart cricket that was played from Tilak and Surya, it just tells you,” he added.

“You don’t want additional pressure” – Sunil Gavaskar on Pakistan after defeat to India

Gavaskar opined that the Pakistani players should have been allowed to plan for the game on their own instead of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi giving them a pep talk before the high-voltage clash. The former India opener said that it added “additional pressure” on the Pakistani players.

“As a team, you want to be left with your own thoughts and mental preparation. Your captain, coach, and support staff have already told you what is expected of you. You want to then be left to yourself to plan your game. You don’t want additional pressure here,” he said.