Cricket’s most intense rivalry, India–Pakistan encounters, is at a new dawn.
Though Pakistan continues to hold the edge in the head-to-head count, India is making a formidable comeback (relief to Indian cricket enthusiasts).
In one-day international (ODI) cricket, India and Pakistan have played 135 matches. The men in green have won 73 matches, India have 57, with five ties. However, India has blanked Pakistan in ODI world cup cricket. Making it 8-0 this last Sunday.
Presently, India and Pakistan do not play bilateral cricket. The teams only meet in world cups.
What is of note is how India has had a mind-boggling edge over Pakistan in world cup matches.
Pakistan is a heavyweight in international cricket and to beat that team each and every time in world cup matches is a record which India will be very proud of.
On top of that, the margin of victories in every world cup match after 2011 has been immense.
The countries first met at the world cups in 1992. That match in Sydney was a close affair, India won it by 43 runs.
In 1996, India won by 39 runs in Bengaluru. That match was very closely contested and at one point it looked like Pakistan would walk away with the league stage points.
The match in 1999 was an emotional one as it came during the Kargil war. This was another even contest. In 2003, India won in Centurion by six wickets. Towards the end, India romped home comfortably.
The famous semi-final win for India in 2011 was also a close contest. However, the matches in 2015, 2019 and 2023 have not been close contests.
2015, Adelaide: India won by 76 runs.
2019, Manchester: India won by 89 runs.
2023, Ahmedabad: India won with seven wickets in hand and with 19 overs to spare.
These last three contests have been as one-sided as it gets and it makes one seriously wonder if the gulf between these two sides is getting wider, or these results were just mere chance.
Indian cricket, when compared to the 1990s, has improved. Notable improvements are in the pace bowling and fielding departments. Indian batting is as strong as it ever has been and there is a re-energised focus on developing all rounders.
Today, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is much more powerful. India now also has the world’s most popular and lucrative T20 competition, Indian Premier League.
In comparison, Pakistan has evolved with the times with the Pakistan Super League.
In fact, Pakistan too is a better fielding side today. However, something is amiss, especially in the ODI format.
For the spirit of good quality, competitive cricket, let's hope India-Pakistan matches are more evenly contested in the future. Or else, this truly is a new dawn in India-Pakistan cricket, where India has outrun and overlapped its rival.
