R Ashwin Mocks Pakistan’s Tactics After India’s Dominant Thrashing in Colombo

Ravichandran Ashwin mocked Pakistan’s tactics and said India’s 175 was good enough to “enforce a follow-on” after their crushing 61-run win.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin assessed Pakistan’s performance following their 61-run defeat in the Group A clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium. He even joked that India’s total was big enough to “enforce a follow-on” in T20 cricket.

The much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash turned into a one-sided contest. India posted 175/7 after being asked to bat first, powered by a blistering 77 off 40 balls from Ishan Kishan. Pakistan’s chase collapsed early, with three wickets falling by the end of the second over. The Men in Green were eventually bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, handing India a comprehensive victory.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said the total was more than enough on that surface and compared it to Test cricket’s follow-on rule.

“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

Ashwin also pointed to the toss as the turning point of the match. He felt Pakistan made a crucial error by choosing to bowl first despite previous matches at the venue showing that defending totals was easier.

Ashwin Dissects Pakistan’s Tactics

He criticized the tactical handling of the powerplay, especially the decision to introduce Shaheen Shah Afridi early, even though Ishan Kishan has a strong record against left-arm pace. Ashwin suggested that better use of match-up data and tactical changes could have helped Pakistan.

“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.

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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.