Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav re-evaluates India vs Pakistan rivalry with a scathing takedown
The re-match of the much-hyped arch-rivalry at the Asia Cup 2025 did not produce a different result. The Men in Blue asserted unchallenged dominance once again, clinching a thumping six-wicket win in the India vs Pakistan Super 4 clash. The latest showdown was not as one-sided as the group-stage India vs Pakistan battle. However, such is the gulf in the standings between the rivals that even if Pakistan manages to take two steps forward, they remain ten steps behind India. A fighting 171-run total stood no chance against the young opening duo of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, as the Men in Green bowed once again. Meanwhile, India's skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, marked the win as an opportunity to reassess the so-called 'rivalry'.
“Stop calling it a rivalry”: Suryakumar Yadav sets the record straight after India vs Pakistan Super 4 win
Put in to bat first in Dubai, Pakistan showed a semblance of fight as Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman made merry after being dropped in the early stages. Jasprit Bumrah failed to make any impact, going wicketless and conceding over 45 runs in his spell. However, with Shivam Dube providing the breakthrough, India stemmed the flow of runs in the middle overs, keeping the total below the 180-run mark.
The 171-run total, meanwhile, appeared bleak once Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma launched their attack. The young opening duo took on Shaheen Afridi, bashing him around the park and giving it back to him verbally as well. Haris Rauf received the same treatment, taken to the bleachers and reminded to cool down his antics of instigating the opponents. Abhishek's fifty, along with cameos from Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma, drove the Men in Blue to the shore.
As much as the India vs Pakistan rivalry is hyped, fueled further by the handshake row, the result was largely anticipated. While the audience could see the Men in Green engaging in a tussle with the Indians on the field, a real challenge in the game is now rated far beyond Pakistan's ability. The Super 4 clash served as the nth reminder that this unit is not one that can be rated on par with India, essentially what an arch-rivalry should mean.
As Suryakumar Yadav came out for the press conference, the Indian T20I skipper was quick to rectify the notion. Hinting that the India vs Pakistan rivalry is nothing more than a shell of a once-great contest, SKY noted that a ratio so one-sided could not be termed an 'arch-rivalry'. While SKY could not provide the exact figures, the head-to-head stats validate his views. With the two Asia Cup 2025 battles, India and Pakistan have met 15 times in the shorter format. Out of these 15 matches, Pakistan has managed to win just three, with the Men in Blue miles ahead in the comparison with 12 victories.
“You guys should stop asking questions about the rivalry between India-Pakistan. According to me, if the two teams are playing 15-20 games, and the scoreline is 7-7 or 8-7, then it is called a rivalry. 10-0, 10-1, I don't know what the stat is, but this is not a rivalry anymore. I think we played better cricket than them (Pakistan), and also from a bowling point of view,” Suryakumar Yadav said in the post-match press conference.
India has imposed a streak of seven consecutive wins over Pakistan in the shorter format. While the Men in Green looked able to challenge their opponents in the India vs Pakistan Super 4 clash during the first innings, the chase quickly shattered that illusion. Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma raced to a 100-plus opening stand, as the fate of the match was decided early on.
