It was once again India's premier batsman Virat Kohli who stood tall as Pakistan's India jinx continued at the World Cup with the hosts thrashing the arch-rival by six wickets in the high voltage World T20 encounter at the Eden Gardens here on Saturday.
Chasing a competitive target of 119 runs, the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side reached the target with seven balls to spare. India, who were under a lot of pressure after losing the first game to New Zealand, responded well and displayed an efficient batting display.
However, it was not an easy task as India suffered early blows and had to strive hard to register their fifth win over Pakistan in the WT20s. Rohit Sharma fell early to Mohammad Amir, while trying to loft him over the top. Then Mohammad Sami rattled in and struck twice in one over to leave Eden Gardens in trauma and India tottering at 23/3.
However, Kohli (55*) and Yuvraj Singh (24) shared a valuable 61-run partnership to put India in a comfortable position.
Pakistan's spin duo of Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi looked shallow and were nowhere in comparison to the Indian spinners on a spin haven.
Earlier, put in to bat, Pakistan displayed a resilient performance and put up a very decent target on a track that provided a lot of assistance to the spinners.
Malik was the top scorer with scoring valuable 26 runs and well ably supported by Umar Akmal (22).
Kohli was adjudged Man of the Match for his brilliant knock.
Jubilant with the victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate the Men in Blue.
"Congratulations Team India for the amazing victory. #IndvsPak," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
India will next face Bangladesh at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, March 23.