'Terrible mistake': Ashwin exposes Pakistan's big blunder vs India

NEW DELHI: Former India spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin came down hard on Pakistan following their comprehensive defeat to the Men in Blue in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, identifying the toss as the turning point of the highly-anticipated contest.

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India registered a commanding 61-run win in Colombo, and Ashwin felt Pakistan’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss handed India a decisive edge on a surface where chasing has been challenging throughout the tournament.



“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,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat.

Ashwin also raised questions over Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s use of his bowlers in the powerplay, particularly the early introduction of Shaheen Afridi instead of exploring alternate match-ups.

“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."

He further criticised Pakistan’s failure to regain control in the death overs, pointing out how Afridi’s return spell allowed India to surge ahead.

“The fast bowler released the pressure. India were 159 after 19 overs, and Afridi was brought again, and he leaked runs again. Afridi gave away 16 runs in the final over,” he added.

India will wrap up their league-stage campaign against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on Wednesday before shifting focus to the Super 8s.



Get the latest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 updates, including the full schedule, teams, live scores, points table, and key series stats such as top run-scorers and wicket-takers.