By Krishna Dua 
India vs Pakistan 15 Feb 2026: High-Voltage Clash
The T20 World Cup 2026 Group A blockbuster between India and Pakistan at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, ended in a dramatic super-over finish with India winning by 2 runs after both teams scored 188 in their 20 overs. The result keeps India unbeaten in the group and virtually guarantees them a top-two finish, while Pakistan now face a near-impossible task to qualify for the Super 8.
The match delivered everything fans expect from an India–Pakistan encounter: packed 66,000+ crowd, deafening noise, momentum swings, record sixes, clutch bowling, controversy over DRS calls and a finish that will be replayed for years. Global viewership crossed 680 million — the highest for any cricket match in 2026 so far.
Toss & India Innings – 188/7 in 20 Overs
Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first under lights, expecting heavy dew to help the chasing side. India’s openers gave a flying start:
- Rohit Sharma: 56 off 32 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: 41 off 24 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes)
89 runs came in 8.4 overs before Shaheen Shah Afridi removed both in the space of three deliveries. Virat Kohli played a classic anchor role with 48 off 35 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes), while Suryakumar Yadav added a brisk 29 off 18.
Hardik Pandya’s late 22* off 11 balls (including two huge sixes off Haris Rauf) and Axar Patel’s 14* off 6 took India to 188/7 — a strong total on a pitch that slowed considerably after the first ten overs.
Pakistan bowlers:
- Shaheen Shah Afridi 3/34
- Haris Rauf 2/40
- Naseem Shah 1/38
- Shadab Khan 1/32
Pakistan Innings – 188/6 in 20 Overs
Pakistan started aggressively with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan adding 68 in the powerplay. Babar fell for 42 off 31 balls (caught long-on off Arshdeep Singh), but Rizwan played a superb 74* off 48 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes).
At 128/2 after 14 overs Pakistan needed 61 off 36 balls with eight wickets in hand. The game turned in the next six overs:
- Jasprit Bumrah removed Iftikhar Ahmed (caught deep midwicket)
- Axar Patel bowled Azam Khan attempting a reverse sweep
- Ravindra Jadeja ran out Imad Wasim with a direct hit
- Arshdeep Singh bowled Shadab Khan with a yorker
Pakistan needed 18 off the last over. Hardik Pandya conceded 11 runs and took Haris Rauf’s wicket on the penultimate ball. Rizwan smashed a six off the final delivery to tie the scores at 188.
Super Over – India Win by 2 Runs
India Super Over (bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi) Rohit Sharma & Yashasvi Jaiswal Score: 14/1 (Rohit out for 9)
Pakistan Super Over (bowled by Jasprit Bumrah) Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan Score: 12/1 (Rizwan run out attempting second run off the last ball)
India won by 2 runs in the super over.
Player of the Match & Key Performances
- Player of the Match: Jasprit Bumrah — 3/22 + super-over spell (1 wicket + run-out)
- Top scorer: Mohammad Rizwan 74* (Pakistan)
- Best bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 3/22 (India)
- Most sixes: Hardik Pandya 3 (India)
Post-Match Reactions
- Rohit Sharma (India captain): “Unbelievable game. The boys showed tremendous character in the super over. Bumrah was phenomenal. Pakistan played outstanding cricket — respect to them.”
- Babar Azam (Pakistan captain): “Heartbreaking to lose in the super over after such a fight. Rizwan batted brilliantly. We’ll take the positives and come back stronger.”
- Jasprit Bumrah: “Special feeling to win for the country in an India–Pakistan match. The crowd energy was unreal.”
- Virat Kohli: “One of the best atmospheres I’ve ever experienced. The noise never stopped.”
Impact on Group Standings (after 15 Feb)
- India: 4 points (2 wins) — virtually assured top spot
- Pakistan: 2 points (1 win, 1 loss) — must win remaining matches with excellent NRR
- Australia & Scotland: both on 2 points
India’s net run-rate is now significantly superior to Pakistan’s.
Conclusion
India vs Pakistan on 15 February 2026 at Eden Gardens will be remembered as one of the greatest T20 World Cup matches ever played — a super-over thriller decided by a single run after both teams scored 188. The atmosphere, skill, drama and emotional intensity were off the charts.
India move forward with huge momentum and a near-certain Super 8 berth, while Pakistan face a do-or-die situation in their remaining group fixtures. Regardless of what happens next, this match has already delivered the defining moment of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Cricket at its absolute finest.