Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has pointed out that a true rivalry only exists when the matches are closely fought; highlighting India’s impressive winning record. He remarked, “What constitutes a rivalry? If two teams have faced each other 15 times and the score is 8-7, that is a rivalry. In this case, it stands at 13-1 (or 12-3) or something similar. There is no real competition.” He called on the media and fans to refrain from referring to these matches as a rivalry, given the absence of competitiveness in recent years. This statement follows India’s victory in its second match against Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2025.
In recent years, many contemporary Indian players appear to approach matches against Pakistan with a cooler, more measured mindset. For them, these games are often just another high-profile contest on the calendar. They suggest that much of the perceived tension or competitive edge comes not from the players themselves, but from the media hype and fan expectations surrounding the fixture.
On the other hand, while Pakistani players have been quieter in public statements lately, the intensity on the field tells a different story. Their performances and exchanges during matches reveal that they still treat these encounters as opportunities to prove themselves and to keep the spirit of the historic rivalry alive.
In essence, the contrast highlights how the same match can be experienced differently: for Indian players, it’s largely professional; for Pakistan, it still carries emotional weight and a sense of legacy.
India and Pakistan Cricket History
The cricket matches between India and Pakistan have a long and exciting history, marked by intense competition and important games in all formats.
Early Matches and First Test Series
India and Pakistan first played each other in a five-match Test series in 1952, held in India. India won the series 2-1. Pakistan started playing international cricket in 1948, and official matches against India began in the early 1950s.
ODI Matches and World Cups
The first ODI between India and Pakistan was in 1978 in Quetta, and India won by 4 runs.
Overall, Pakistan has won more ODIs, with 73 wins out of 135, while India has 57 wins. However, India has never lost to Pakistan in ICC ODI World Cups, winning all their encounters, including eight wins up to 2023.
India’s big World Cup wins came in 1992, 2015, 2019, and 2023, with great performances from players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.
T20 Cricket and T20 World Cup
The first T20 match was in 2007 ICC World T20. The game ended in a tie, but India won in a thrilling bowl-out.
India dominated T20 World Cup matches with a 6-1 record, until Pakistan broke the streak in 2021 under Babar Azam.
Test Series and Bilateral Matches
Pakistan has historically won more Test series, but many matches ended in draws. Political issues have caused interruptions, so regular series between the teams have become rare, with the last big bilateral ODI series happening before 2013.
Iconic Moments
Some famous matches include:
- 2007 T20 World Cup Final
- Several ICC Champions Trophy finals
- World Cup games with close finishes
- Anil Kumble’s 10-wicket haul in 1999
Overall Head-to-Head
India and Pakistan have played over 200 matches across all formats:
- Pakistan wins: 88
- India wins: 74
- Draws/No results: Remaining matches
Overall, Pakistan leads slightly in history, but India has been strong in World Cups and major tournaments.