Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin assessed Pakistan’s performance after their 61-run defeat in the Group A clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium, even joking
that India’s total was big enough to “enforce a follow-on” in T20 cricket.
The India-Pakistan encounter turned into a one-sided affair. India posted 175/7 after being asked to bat first, riding on a 77 off 40 balls from Ishan Kishan. Pakistan’s chase never got going as by the end of the second over, three wickets had already fallen. Eventually, the Men in Green were bundled out for 114 in 18 overs, handing India a comprehensive 61-run victory.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin stated that 175 on that pitch felt like 250. Drawing a comparison with Test cricket’s follow-on rule, where a team can be asked to bat again if trailing by 150 or 200 runs, depending on match length, he said that India’s score was sufficient to apply the same logic in T20Is.
"175 is like 250 on this pitch. 175 is not less. You can enforce follow-on on this pitch. In a four-day game, follow-on is enforced by 150 runs. In a five-day match, it is 200. In T20Is, this score makes sense. If India would have scored 20 runs more, we could have done it," he said
He also pinpointed the toss as the crucial point. According to the veteran, Pakistan lost the plot the moment captain Salman Ali Agha opted to bowl first. Previous matches at the venue had shown that defending totals were easier, yet Pakistan chose to chase.
Ashwin further criticized the tactical handling of the powerplay, particularly the decision to introduce Shaheen Shah Afridi early despite Ishan Kishan’s strong record against left-arm pace. He suggested better use of match-up data and alternative angles, noting that Afridi’s two overs proved expensive.
“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. 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,” Ashwin added.
