By ABDULLAH 
The age-old cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan took another dramatic turn on Sunday when India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav bluntly declared that matches between the two sides can no longer be considered a “rivalry.” His comments came after India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in their Asia Cup Super Four clash in Dubai on September 21, 2025.
For decades, the India-Pakistan fixture has been the most watched and emotionally charged contest in world cricket, fueled not just by sporting stakes but also political history and cultural pride. But according to Yadav, the head-to-head record tells a different story today.
India’s latest win over Pakistan was their second victory in this Asia Cup edition and extended their dominant record in Twenty20 internationals to 11 wins out of 15 encounters, with Pakistan winning just 3 and one ending in a tie.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Suryakumar Yadav dismissed the idea of a “balanced rivalry”:
“If two teams play 15–20 matches and it’s 7–7 or 8–7, then it’s a rivalry. But 13-0 or 10-1… I don’t know the exact stats, but this is not a rivalry anymore.”
Pakistan, batting first, posted 171/5 their highest total against India in T20Is. But India’s Abhishek Sharma (74 off 39) and Shubman Gill (47 off 28) put on a 105-run opening stand, making the chase look comfortable. India crossed the target with ease, leaving Pakistan once again searching for answers.
The match unfolded under the shadow of political tensions between the two countries following their military conflict earlier this year. Once again, there were no handshakes between the players after the game, a symbolic gesture that has become another talking point in this tournament.
Despite that, the packed Dubai International Stadium was filled with electric energy, as fans from both sides turned up in large numbers, underlining how emotionally charged these contests remain—even if the results are increasingly one-sided.
While praising his team’s batting display, Yadav also admitted that India’s fielding performance left much to be desired. The side dropped four catches in the match.
With a touch of humor, the skipper revealed:
“The fielding coach has sent an email to the boys who had butter fingers, to appear before him at his office. But this happens it’s part of the game.”
He added that such mistakes happening early in the tournament may help India prepare better for the crucial knockout stages ahead.
One of the biggest positives for India was Shivam Dube’s bowling spell. The all-rounder, often seen as more of a batting option, bowled his full quota of four overs for only the third time in his T20I career.
Dube took 2 for 33, dismissing Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan the latter anchoring Pakistan’s innings with a half-century. With Jasprit Bumrah having an off day (0/45 in four overs), Dube’s breakthroughs were crucial in slowing Pakistan’s momentum after a strong start.
Yadav credited Dube’s hard work in practice sessions, saying:
“He always wanted to bowl at least two overs in practice. Today he got four, and he had clear plans. The way he delivered shows how much preparation matters.”
The defeat adds to what analysts are calling one of Pakistan’s toughest years in cricket. In 2025, Pakistan’s ODI record has slumped to just 2 wins out of 11 matches, their lowest annual win rate in decades. The poor results have also seen them slip in the ICC rankings, raising serious questions about the team’s form and planning ahead of upcoming global tournaments.
With repeated defeats in high-profile contests against India, the team is under heavy criticism from both experts and fans.
While Yadav’s comments have made headlines, many argue that the India-Pakistan rivalry cannot be defined only by numbers. The political history, emotional weight, and fan engagement make it one of the most unique fixtures in world sport.
Even if Pakistan is struggling, the fixture continues to draw massive TV audiences, sell-out stadiums, and create moments of drama. Rivalries in sport often ebb and flow, and one strong Pakistani comeback could reignite balance in future series.
For now, though, the stats are clear: India has the upper hand, and Suryakumar Yadav’s blunt statement reflects the frustration inside Pakistan cricket and the confidence in the Indian camp.
India now turns to their next Asia Cup Super Four clash against Bangladesh, while Pakistan faces a must-win scenario to stay alive in the tournament.
Regardless of Suryakumar’s comments, the next time India and Pakistan face each other, fans on both sides will once again tune in with the same passion and anticipation. Because in South Asian cricket, the rivalry is about more than just the scoreboard.