The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, historically one of the most intense sporting contests globally, may be losing some of its luster. Once considered among the most-viewed sporting events, recent results and shifting dynamics suggest a change in the landscape.
India has dominated recent encounters. India has won seven straight games in men's internationals since their previous loss to Pakistan at the Asia Cup in 2022. After India's recent Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s win against Pakistan, captain Suryakumar Yadav stated that the India-Pakistan match is "not a rivalry anymore". He argued that a true rivalry necessitates a more balanced win-loss record. Yadav pointed out that if two teams play 15-20 matches and the scoreline is 7-7, or 8-7, then it can be called a good rivalry, but if it's 13-0, or 10-1, then it is not a rivalry anymore. He feels that India has played better cricket than Pakistan.
The numbers back up Yadav's claim. In T20Is, India holds a comfortable lead in head-to-head matchups. Some sources show India with 12 wins to Pakistan's 3 in recent T20 encounters. India's dominance in ICC events further supports this view, with a strong lead in World Cup matches.
The history of the rivalry is filled with iconic moments. From Javed Miandad's last-ball six in 1986 to India's victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup, these matches have often been more than just games. However, since 2010, India has established a clear edge, particularly in ICC events. While Pakistan had a dominant win in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, India has largely held the upper hand.
Tensions still exist between the two teams. In a recent Asia Cup match, India refused to shake hands with Pakistan, which led to controversy. There were heated exchanges between players on the field. After a recent match, Gautam Gambhir was seen instructing Indian players to only shake hands with the umpires and not the Pakistan team.
Despite any reduction in competitive balance, India-Pakistan matches remain highly anticipated. The political relations between the two countries add complexity to the sporting rivalry. Due to strained relations, the teams often meet only at neutral venues during multi-team tournaments. Security concerns have also led to the suspension of planned tours and series.
The upcoming match between India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Although the intensity on the field may remain, the perception of the rivalry seems to be changing, with recent dominance by India leading some to question whether it still deserves that title.
