Why India vs Pakistan isn’t a Rivalry Anymore?

‘This is not a rivalry anymore.’ This statement from India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav in the post-match conference of the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 encounter between India and Pakistan has sparked a stirr among the Pakistan fans. Here’s what the Indian skipper had to say in the post-match press conference.

“I feel we should stop asking this question on [India-Pakistan] rivalry, whether a team plays good cricket or not,” Suryakumar said. “According to me, if two teams are playing 15-20 matches and if it is 7-all or someone is ahead 8-7, then that is called playing good cricket and that is called rivalry. 13-0, 10-1, I don’t know what the stats are. But this is not a rivalry anymore.”

What was once a heated rivalry has now turned into a one-sided affair. It has remained a rivalry only for the broadcasters who have kept it alive for TRPs and to generate revenue through it. But if we take a closer look at the Indo-Pak cricket dynamics in recent times, Pakistan has been no match for Team India.

Was Suryakumar Yadav’s statement an eye-opener for Pakistan Cricket and their fans?

Suryakumar Yadav was blunt with his statement, but he wasn’t wrong at all. In recent times, Team India has not only defeated Pakistan but also toyed with them across formats. Let’s talk about facts and see if Suryakumar’s remarks have weightage or not.

Overall Head-to-Head Record (1952–2025)

• As history suggests, Pakistan still has the upper hand over India in head-to-head records in ODIs and Test cricket.
• T20Is, however, paint a different picture, as it is India displaying sheer dominance with a 12-3 record in 15 meetings.

Recent Head-to-Head (2016–2025)

• In the last 9 years, India has won 84% of matches against Pakistan across white-ball formats.
• Pakistan’s only ODI win in this period came in the 2017 Champions Trophy Final, their last ICC triumph after the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup win.

ICC Tournament Record (ODI and T20I World Cups & Champions Trophy)

• Pakistan has never beaten India in the ODI World Cup. They have won all 8 games played between the two sides, orchestrating sheer dominance.
• In T20 World Cups, both teams have collided 8 times. India has dominated here as well, winning 7 of the 8 games, whereas Pakistan’s only win came in the 2021 edition.
• Champions Trophy is the only ICC tournament where Pakistan has a slight upper hand, with 3 wins out of 5. Out of the three wins, one came in the final of the 2017 edition.

Pakistan’s Decline in 2025

Pakistan’s form collapse in 2025 has been historic. Their ODI win rate is the lowest in over a decade, and they’ve failed to challenge India in any major fixture this year.

Why It’s “No Longer a Rivalry”

• Competitive Balance: Rivalries thrive on back-and-forth wins, as it is a two-way process. Ever since 2012, India has dominated, whereas Pakistan’s wins have been sporadic.
• Bilateral Freeze: No bilateral series since 2012. Only meet in ICC or ACC events.
• Predictability: India’s consistent wins in ICC events have made outcomes feel inevitable.
• Fan Sentiment: While emotions run high, the on-field drama has faded away abruptly.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Recent geopolitical tensions between the two teams have fueled anger, particularly among Indian fans who support boycotting this clash.

Suryakumar Yadav’s statements after their recent triumph over Pakistan are well supported by the recent numbers. India has been way too good against Pakistan in recent times. If Pakistan doesn’t up the ante in forging game plans, skills, mindsets, and talent, they can only garner fluke wins, that too intermittently.