This study explores the impact of the choice of payment method on the acquisition performance of Indian acquirers. Using a sample of 338 completed Indian acquisitions, we study how consideration structure relates to post-deal operating performance, execution speed, and international scope. We find that stock payment as a choice of method is systematically associated with strong positive sales growth, while all-cash deals are followed by weaker revenue dynamics. The return on assets supports the claim being directionally consistent but not statistically significant in all cases. The execution timelines differ sharply by consideration; cash materially accelerates completion, while stock prolongs it. Furthermore, cash is strongly positively related to cross-border acquisitions, whereas stock is negatively associated with international scope. These findings are robust across models, highlighting stock payment as a strategic tool for growth-focused but integration-heavy deals, whereas cash plays a mechanism for swift and efficiency-oriented consolidations.