Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has emphasized the heightened intensity of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, stating that these matchups carry an extra edge compared to other fixtures. Speaking ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Ponting echoed the sentiments of former India coach Ravi Shastri, acknowledging that the anticipation and buildup surrounding India-Pakistan clashes are unlike any other games.
Ponting explained that the atmosphere leading up to these encounters sets them apart from other international rivalries. He noted that while matches such as India vs. New Zealand or Australia vs. South Africa generate interest, they do not match the level of excitement seen when India faces Pakistan or when Australia meets England. According to him, the media hype, public expectations, and historical context make these contests particularly intense.
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“No, there’s more to it. There’s more edge to these games. And we’ll actually see it firsthand because the build up in the week leading up to those games will be different than it is to any other game that they play,”
Ponting told The ICC Review.
“So when India plays New Zealand, then the build up for that game won’t be anywhere near as it’s going to be when India plays Pakistan. When Australia plays South Africa, it won’t be quite as big as the build up when Australia plays England. That’s just part of it all. The media gets behind it. But the rivalries, they are real,”
the World Cup-winning player added.
His comments aligned with those of Ravi Shastri, who, in a recent interview, spoke about the deep-rooted emotions attached to the India-Pakistan rivalry. Shastri revealed that while coaches and players may publicly downplay the significance of the fixture, the reality is different. He explained that losing to Pakistan lingers in the minds of Indian players and fans until the next encounter, and vice versa. Whether it’s a taxi driver or a fan on the street, reminders of the result persist long after the match, making it one of the most high-pressure fixtures in world cricket.
Ponting further elaborated that while the media contributes to the hype, players themselves feel the weight of these rivalries. He pointed out that Indian cricketers have a stronger desire to defeat Pakistan, just as Australians prioritize beating England. He stressed that while players might claim it’s just another match, their elevated heart rates at the start of these high-profile contests reveal otherwise.
Also See: India vs Pakistan Series | India vs Pakistan Upcoming Matches
India and Pakistan are placed in Group A of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and will face off on February 23 in Dubai. Their last ICC tournament encounter at the same venue in 2021 saw Pakistan secure a dominant 10-wicket victory, adding another chapter to their historic rivalry. The upcoming match promises to be another highly anticipated battle between the two cricketing giants.
Champions Trophy 2025 squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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