India's C team will thrash Pakistan, says former India captain

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has urged fans and broadcasters to tone down the 'greatest rivalry' narrative surrounding India vs Pakistan clashes, following India’s commanding victory in their T20 World Cup 2026 encounter on February 15.

India outclassed Pakistan by 61 runs in Colombo in what was once again billed as a blockbuster showdown but turned out to be a largely one-sided contest. With the win, India improved their head-to-head record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups to 8-1 and sealed a spot in the Super 8 stage.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth did not hold back in his assessment of the Pakistan side. He suggested that the current gap between the two teams is so wide that even a second- or third-string Indian team would be capable of defeating Pakistan comfortably.

He dismissed the long-standing aura around Shaheen Shah Afridi, claiming that the fast bowler’s fear factor has faded. Srikkanth also lamented what he sees as a decline in Pakistan’s once-formidable pace attack, contrasting it with the era of legends such as Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis.

Turning to the batting unit, he was even more scathing. Srikkanth argued that if Babar Azam is considered the team’s primary T20 match-winner, then Pakistan need to reassess their approach to the format altogether. He described the current lineup as one of the weakest he has seen from Pakistan, especially when compared to past greats like Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Rameez Raja.

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The former chief selector also criticised Pakistan’s tactical decisions in the match. He questioned the choice to bowl first after winning the toss, calling it a major blunder on that surface. Srikkanth wondered whether the call was made by head coach Mike Hesson or captain Salman Ali Agha, suggesting that the contest was effectively decided at that moment.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s path to the Super 8 remains uncertain. To stay in contention, they must secure a victory over Namibia national cricket team in their final group fixture.