India have come out on top in the highly-anticipated Cricket World Cup showdown with Pakistan, winning by seven wickets in front of more than 130,000 fans in Ahmedabad.
With the two rivals having won their opening two fixtures, there was a desire to move a step closer to the semi-finals with victory on Saturday.
However, it proved to be more one-sided than many had hoped and expected, Pakistan capitulating to 191 all out before India made light work of the subsequent chase.
After Rohit Sharma had made the decision for India to field first, it appeared to be the wrong call as Pakistan were able to build a platform at 155-2 in the 30th over.
Imam-ul-Haq (36), Babar Azam (40) and Mohammad Rizwan (39) all played their part, but India responded by taking the final eight wickets for just 36 runs in 13.1 overs.
The wickets were shared evenly between five bowlers, all taking two apiece, as Pakistan were dismissed with 7.5 overs still remaining.
The crowd is SILENCED 🤫
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 14, 2023
Virat Kohli is OUT ❌ pic.twitter.com/qkBWK1O05J
Although Pakistan took the wickets of Shubman Gill (16) and Virat Kohli (16) inside the first 10 overs, they were powerless to stop yet another majestic performance from Sharma.
An astonishing six fours and six sixes came from just 63 balls as he made 86, missing out on a deserved century as Shaheen Shah Afridi took his second wicket.
Shreyas Iyer (53*) and KL Rahul (19*) did what was required to contribute the remaining 36 runs, earning India victory with 19.3 overs to spare.
That margin has the potential to hurt Pakistan later in the group phase, with their net run-rate now -0.137 ahead of facing Australia in their next fixture.
