India vs Pakistan has to be the biggest rivalry in cricket history.

In cricket history, there has been no bigger rivalry between two cricketing powerhouses that has generated global attention and mass hysteria than India vs Pakistan. However, in the last two decades, especially in the T20 format, the contest between the two nations has increasingly become a one-sided affair, with India dominating Pakistan and holding an 8-1 lead in head-to-head T20 World Cup encounters.

With media creating a false narrative of the rivalry to amplify their viewership, has the India vs Pakistan cricket now just become a hype and not a true reflection of a true contest between two equals in the game?

Introduction

There is still no doubt that an India vs Pakistan clash catches more eyeballs than any other rivalry in cricket today. ICC prefer to keep both India and Pakistan in the same group to kick-start an ICC tournament. This is a foolproof plan to generate the much-needed emotions and global attention for a tournament. Whether the clash is in the subcontinent or in the southern hemisphere, an India vs Pakistan clash will always bring in a packed stadium and record viewership, whether it is a must-win game or a dead rubber.

An India vs Pakistan game transcends the boundaries of sport, making it the most-watched event in sports, especially in cricket.

With India winning the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup, beating arch-rivals Pakistan in the 2007 finals, and Pakistan winning the ICC event in the following cycle, the shortest and the fast-paced new format in sport was only expected to increase the rivalry and the drama between the two powerhouses.

But have the heightened expectations lived up to the hype in ICC T20 events, including the ongoing ICC 2026 T20 World Cup?

Is there competitive substance, or is the India vs Pakistan more hype?

The India vs Pakistan Rivalry – Hyped but not hollow

There has always been an undercurrent between India and Pakistan due to political tensions, war and diplomatic strains making the India vs Pakistan match more than a sporting encounter. The games were more symbolic in nature unlike other rivalries like the Australia – England rivalries.

In the past, regular India-Pakistan tournaments were played, but the cricketing ties became strained after an increase in Pakistan‘s homegrown terrorist activities inside India. India brought a complete halt to all bilateral cricket relations between the two nations after the Pakistan-backed terror attacks in Mumbai. Pakistan players were no longer welcomed in the Indian Premier League (IPL) post the Mumbai attacks.

With India’s rising elevation in its global sports aspirations, India allowed cricket to continue with Pakistan only in ICC events and the Asia Cup as an exception. This stance of the Indian Government and Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) is still in force.

Even with the limited games between the two nations, the hype and hysteria associated with the two nations clashing in the cricket arena still has not lost steam, infact, the drama around the game has only intensified multifold.

In the T20 format, 2007 World Cup was the turning point with the arch rivals meeting each other twice in the tournament, once in the group stage and the second in the finals. Both games went to the wire, with the group game ending up in bowl-out to decide the winner after the match got tied. A moment every cricket fan remembers till date. The final too was a nail-biter with India pulling out a win in the last over of the match.

This gave India a head start and an early edge in the T20 format. Since then, an India vs Pakistan clash has been the most anticipated game in ICC calendar in the T20 format.

India’s T20 Dominance over Pakistan

While India won its group game against Pakistan in the 2009 T20 World Cup, Pakistan went on to become champions in the 2009 tournament. For years, India has been having the upper hand over Pakistan, winning all their ICC T20 games except for their 2021 clash, where India lost to Pakistan. This was Pakistan’s first and only win over India in an ICC T20 World Cup event.

The win, however, temporarily arrested the one-sidedness between the countries in global tournaments.

Post their loss in the 2021 game, India managed to back themselves in all future games and have won all games, making the scoreline 8-1 in favour of India.

While most wins were easy or one-sided affairs, the win in the 2022 World Cup game was a thriller, which helped the hype of an India vs Pakistan to continue and grow.

The main reason for India’s dominance over its neighbours is due to their big tournament temperament, the quality of the IPL tournament, and a well-oiled system that produces and nurtures talent. The Indian team’s adaptability to playing in different conditions allows them to dominate the game.

8-1 score, but India vs Pakistan still relevant

India vs Pakistan game is still relevant for multiple reasons

ICC or the Asia Cup games are the only events when the two teams meet.
There are no bilaterals
There is a considerable time gap between games, making fans eagerly await the next encounter.
India does not play PSL or any outside league other than the Indian Premier League (IPL)
Pakistan players are not allowed in the Indian Premier League (IPL)
Because of playing only ICC tournaments, the stakes are always high in every game played, as expectations are
An India vs Pakistan game is broadcaster’s cash cow. Advertising rates skyrocket as viewership for these games is the highest than any other cricket game. Hence, the rivalry is overpromoted.
Social media is the most active.
Pre-match shows that amplify the drama surrounding the two extremely emotional countries make it into a soap opera.
More than the fans from both countries, the global diaspora helps spread the viewership in all countries, making it into a global event.
Pakistan is a highly unpredictable side, so even with a 1-8 scoreline, they can turn the tables due to the nature of the T20 format. Thus, adding to the sporting drama of an India vs Pakistan

Why is Team India a dominating force as compared to other nation

The Indian Premier League (IPL) and the domestic T20 tournaments are the best in the world and unearth new talent every year.
Foreign Internationals form a beeline to be part of the IPL
The Pakistan Premier League (PSL) is a poor funded T20 tournament which donot attract current T20 playing foreign players

Hype vs Rivalry

While the Hype is present, the rivalry has kept the event between the two countries engaging. Political undertones, National pride make up for an India vs Pakistan clash. While the clash may not be as relevant to India, for a financially bankrupt Pakistan cricket board (PCB), these games help it to be relevant and financially viable to continue as a cricketing nation.

But with all the Hype surrounding an India vs Pakistan game, it still remains the biggest rivalry in T20 cricket.

While there are other rivalries like Australia- India, Australia- New Zealand, etc., that deliver better quality cricket, no rivalry has the kind of global emotional appeal like an India vs Pakistan game. The entertainment value is second to none.

Hyped? Certainly. But dull? Not at all.

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