Ishan Kishan plays a shot during the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan in Colombo. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson delivered a blunt and telling verdict after his side’s crushing 61-run defeat to India in the T20 World Cup in Colombo, admitting that one fearless innings had effectively decided the contest long before the chase fell apart. Hesson said Kishan’s aggressive approach and rare form proved the decisive difference in the marquee clash, acknowledging that the opener’s brilliance had dismantled Pakistan’s plans on a challenging surface.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“I think he’s fearless. He’s able to score on both sides of the ground. So, he’s not just committed to the leg side. We know he’s incredibly strong there, but he can reverse. So, if you’ve got spin, especially in the power play, it can be a challenge,” Hesson said after the match.

Kishan’s breathtaking 77 off 40 balls powered India to 175 for seven, but more importantly, it broke the backbone of Pakistan’s spin-heavy strategy on a slow Premadasa Stadium pitch. He attacked the slower bowlers with authority, scoring 66 runs off 37 deliveries against spin and forcing Pakistan’s bowlers out of their comfort zone.Hesson admitted that pressure created by Kishan forced his bowlers away from their strengths and ultimately changed the course of the match. He noted that apart from Kishan and a brief contribution from Shivam Dube, scoring was difficult, underlining just how exceptional the knock was. “That certainly was a standout amongst the whole match, really. The way Kishan played took the game away from us,” Hesson said.

Pakistan’s problems deepened in the chase as they collapsed for just 114, never recovering after early wickets. The heavy defeat pushed them to third place in Group A, leaving their qualification hopes dependent on beating Namibia in their final league match.Hesson admitted the loss had hit the team hard emotionally, given the magnitude of the fixture. He said the dressing room was deeply disappointed because the players understood how much the match meant. “We know that it’s a huge event — Pakistan against India. We’ve won five games on the bounce, we’re confident, but today we got outplayed,” he said.Despite the setback, Hesson urged his players to stay composed and respond positively. He emphasised that major tournaments often test teams under pressure and that Pakistan’s challenge now was to trust their decision-making and return stronger. He said the key question was how players reacted when put under pressure, whether they stuck to their basics or moved away from them. According to him, improving that response would be crucial in the matches ahead.