Axar Patel press conference: “We see them as a team, we don’t see a rivalry” after India beat Pakistan
Kishan continued his rich form in T20s and countered Pakistan’s spin strategy with authority, hitting his second T20 World Cup fifty. His fluent knock of 77 helped India to an impressive 61-run victory in Colombo. Even behind the stumps, he made a big impact, highlighted by a sharp irritation to dismiss the dangerous Usman Khan, who was trying to rebuild with a measured counter-attack.In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Ishan Kishan said, “It’s not just for me, I feel it’s for all the fans who supported us throughout the game, throughout the tournament when we prepared very hard. So the credit goes not only to me but to the whole of India.” “I think I just simplified it, as I said in the press conference earlier in the day, it’s just another game. You have to watch the ball and play your shots that you believe are on. You have to evaluate the goal, how it’s playing, what’s a good overall result for all our teammates, I think they had that in mind and that gave me so much confidence before the game or the game. There was nothing about it being easy.” play your shots No, I don’t think the job is done so I wouldn’t say I’m too happy, we have to forget about it and go to the next game,” he said.After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bowl. India suffered an early setback when Abhishek departed for a duck, but Kishan’s aggressive 77 and Tilak’s composed 25 leveled the innings. The Men in Blue slumped to 126/4 and lost their set batsmen along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya (0). Captain Suryakumar, along with Shivam and Rinku, then ensured a strong finish, timing their acceleration well in challenging conditions. India made 175/7 and Saim Ayub (3/25) became Pakistan’s most successful bowler.In response, Pakistan were rattled early on, reduced to 34/4 by Hardik, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel. Usman Khan fought back with 44 off 34 balls, including six fours and a six, but lacked substantial support as India bowled out Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs to seal their third straight win and advance to the Super 8 stage.Axar (2/29) led the bowling effort while Hardik (2/16), Bumrah (2/17) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/17) also chipped in with crucial wickets. India sit top of Group A with three wins from three matches. Pakistan is third with two wins and a loss, while USA holds the second spot with two wins and two losses. India’s head-to-head record against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup now stands at eight wins and one loss.