India, Feb. 16 -- For all the attacking verve and gusto they bring to every contest, you have got to give it to India for refusing to be straitjacketed by what seemed obvious, even when conditions and matchups heavily suggested that in the high-voltage T20 World Cup clash in Colombo on Sunday night.

Spin was to have the final say, but not necessarily the first word, as India exhibited through two opening overs of disciplined pace bowling from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. This, when Pakistan chose to open with Salman Ali Agha's off-breaks, and were handsomely rewarded by the wicket of Abhishek Sharma as well. India stuck to their plans though. Result? Two overs, three wickets, game virtually won.

Pandya, often the spearhead for Indi...