India vs Pakistan – The Greatest Rivals in Cricket

India vs Pakistan cricket is not just an sports, its an emotion in itself. Cricket, often referred to as the “gentleman’s game,” is transformed when it comes to the fierce rivalry between India and Pakistan. This sporting rivalry is steeped in history, politics, and a passion for the game that transcends borders. From the early days of Indian cricket to present times, the India vs Pakistan contest has produced some of the most memorable moments in cricketing history

History of Indian Cricket

Indian cricket took its first steps towards international recognition in the 1930s. The matches were far and few. It was the time when cricket was becoming accessible to common man. Before this era the cricket was the pass time of elites who rubbed shoulders with Britishers.

The Greats of The Era

C.K. Nayudu

Col. Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu, popularly known as C.K. Nayudu, was a trailblazer in Indian cricket. He was the first Indian to represent the country in Test cricket, and his aggressive style of play made him a force to be reckoned with.

Mohammad Nissar

Mohammad Nissar (1 August 1910 – 11 March 1963) arguably one of the fastest bowlers in the world during his time. His ability to generate pace and swing earned him a reputation as one of the premier bowlers of his time, He was first bowler to take 5 wickets in an Innings, that too on his debut. He had three, 5 wicket hauls in only 6 test he played. After Partition he migrated to Pakistan and later helped found PCB.

Lala Amarnath

Lala Amarnath, known for his powerful stroke play and sharp bowling, was a true pioneer of Indian cricket. He earned the distinction of being the first Indian to score a Test century and take a five-wicket haul in an innings.

Mushtaq Ali

Syed Mushtaq Ali was a dynamic batsman known for his aggressive style of play. He was a trendsetter in Indian cricket and was regarded as one of the most entertaining batsmen of his time. He was the first Indian cricketer to score a test century overseas. He achieved this feat when he scored a century in 1936, at Old Trafford in Manchester against England.

Impact of Partition

The partition of British India in 1947 led to the creation of two independent nations: India and Pakistan. This division had a profound impact on cricket, splitting the talent pool and creating two fiercely competitive cricketing nations. While Indian team continue to play cricket, Pakistan had to build the team. The players from the United India who migrated to Pakistan or happened to be there started the process. The PCB was founded in 1947, and Pakistan got the Test Status by ICC on 28 July 1952. India recommended the nomination.

The first ever Test match between India and Pakistan was played in New Delhi, in 1952, when Pakistan came to India for a 5 match series.

Players Who Played For Both India and Pakistan

• Amir Elahi – One Test for India against Australia at Sydney in 1947; five Tests for Pakistan against India in 1952
• Gul Mohammad – Eight Tests for India between 1946 and 1955; one Test for Pakistan in 1956
• Abdul Hafeez Kardar – Three Tests for India in 1946; 23 Tests for Pakistan between 1948 and 1958. He was the captain of the team which comes to India on Pakistan’s first official tour.

The Beginning of India vs Pakistan

As a result of the history and politics of both the countries, cricket becomes much more than a sport, it becomes a war. And players being humans with emotions pour their hearts in the play. The intensity has been sky high from the word go.

The Greats of India vs Pakistan Rivalry

Over the years, India and Pakistan have produced cricketing legends who have left an indelible mark on the sport. From the greats like Hanif Mohammad, Fazal Mahmood to Vijay Merchent, Vijay Hazare or the Sunil Gavaskar, Zaheer Abbas or the names like Sachin Tendulkar, Imran Khan or Wasim Akram have become synonymous with cricketing greatness, showcasing their skills on the grandest stages, specially in India vs Pakistan matches.

There are some of the greats from both the teams who take the rivalry to the next level.

Fazal Mahmood

Fazal Mahmood, a pace-bowling virtuoso, played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s early successes. Between 1952-61 he took 44 wickets in 14 tests at average of 24.54 against India 7/42 was his best.

Wasim Bari

Wasim Bari, another exceptional wicketkeeper, was revered for his impeccable glovework. He have 55 dismissal on his name in India vs Pakistan matches he played, he also scored 341 runs.

Mudassar Nazar

The batting stalwart was had exceptional record against India with 1432 runs at the average of 62.21, with 6 centuries, highest score being 231.

Zaheer Abbas

Zaheer Abbas, also known as the ‘Asian Bradman,’ was a batting maestro with an array of elegant strokes. He made 1740 runs at the average of 87, with 6 centuries, and highest score of 235 India vs Pakistan encounters.

Imran Khan

Beyond his cricketing prowess, Imran Khan’s leadership skills brought Pakistan its first-ever World Cup victory in 1992. Against India, Imran khan was a lethal force, He took 94 wickets at the average of 24.04 in only 23 tests, the best was 8/60. He also made 1091 run at an average of 51.95. He also took 27 wickets at 22.25 in ODIs.

Javed Miandad

One of Pakistan’s most prolific batsmen, Javed Miandad’s career spanned over 20 years. Against India, he accumulated 2228 runs, including memorable last-ball six and in tests with batting average of 67.51. He also made 1175 runs at 51.08 in ODIs.

Wasim Akram

Known as the Sultan of Swing, Wasim Akram is revered for his exceptional bowling skills. With 51 wickets at 28.86 in Tests and 60 wickets at 25.15 in ODI, he was one of the most dangerous bowlers in the world and definitely one of the all time greats.

Vinoo Mankad

Vinoo Mankad, the gifted all-rounder, was a force to be reckoned with. He took 37 wickets at 24.68 in 9 tests, He also scored 180 runs in the process. In the first ever India vs Pakistan test match He was the Mom with figures of 8/52 and 5/79 in both innings.

Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar, the original ‘Little Master,’ was the legendary batsman, often called the best of his time. He had great record against Pakistan known for his unwavering technique. He made 2089 runs at an average of 56.45 with 5 centuries.

Kapil Dev

India’s World Cup-winning captain, a dynamic all-rounder who enthralled fans with his explosive batting and lethal fast bowling. He was the Mr. Dependable against the Pakistan too. He took 99 wickets at 30.12 with 8/85 as his best, also scored 1054 runs. In ODI he took 42 wickets and made 382 runs.

Dilip Vengsarkar

Dilip Vengsarkar, known as the ‘Colonel,’ was a rock-solid batsman who held the Indian middle order together. He made 1284 runs at 44.27 with 2 centuries.

Anil Kumble

The ‘Jumbo’ of Indian cricket, was a relentless leg-spinner who bamboozled batsmen with his variations. His famous ‘Perfect 10’ against Pakistan in 1999 remains one of the most remarkable feats in cricket history. He has 81 wickets in 15 tests, 54 wickets in 34 ODIs against Pakistan.

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in history, takes the rivalry of India- Pakistan, up a notch. He scored record 2526 runs with 5 centuries and 16 half centuries in ODIs and 1057 runs in test.

Virendra Sehwag

The ruthless Virendra Sehwag totally owned the opponents. He scored record 1276 runs at the average of 91.94 in tests and 1071 runs in ODIs.

Rahul Dravid

The calm composed Rahul Dravid scored record 1236 runs at the average of 53.73 in 15 tests with 5 centuries and 1899 runs with 2 centuries and 14 half centuries in ODIs.

Statistics and Head-to-Head Record

Since their first encounter in 1952, India and Pakistan have faced each other in a total of 205 matches across formats. The head-to-head record is closely contested, reflecting the intense competition between the teams. Both have enjoyed periods of dominance, making every encounter a highly anticipated event for fans worldwide.

India vs Pakistan – Through the Ages

In the early years, both teams were finding their feet on the international stage. Matches were relatively few, but they laid the foundation for the rivalry that would follow.

First Ever India vs Pakistan Series – 1952-53

It was Pakistan’s first tour after it got the test status in 1952.
In the first test played in Delhi India batted first and made 372. Hemu Adhikari and Vijay Merchant were highest scorers with 81 and 76 runs respectively. Pakistan managed to made 150 in first and 152 in second innings. Vinoo Mankad run havoc with 8/52 and 5/79 in both innings, India won the first ever Test with Pakistan by an innings and 70 runs

Pakistan won the 2nd test by by an innings and 43 runs where Fazal Mahmood had the figures of 5/52 and 7/42.

India won the 3rd test by 10 wickets. Vijay Hazare made unbeaten 146 and Vinoo Mankad again took a fifer.

Remaining tests were drawn and India won the series 2-1. The historic series is still remembered for some gritty competition on the field and Vinoo Mankad’s bowling who took 25 wickets.

India vs Pakistan : 1952s-1960s

After the first series of India vs Pakistan tests, the matches were far and few and mostly draws and no results due to defensive nature of play they engaged in due to public pressure. The series of 1954-55 in Pakistan and 1960-61 in India were drawn.

India vs Pakistan : 1970s-1990s

This period witnessed the emergence of some of the greatest cricketers from both sides. Matches were intense, with players like Sunil Gawaskar, Dilip Vegsarkar, Kapil Dev, Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Sarfaraz Nawaz, Imran Khan, showcasing their skills and determination.

India toured Pakistan after 23 years, in 1978/79 for 2 Tests and 3 ODIs. Pakistan won both the tests. Tthe tour saw the highest kind of drama and controversy. In the last ODI Indian captain Bishen Sing Bedi walked out of the match in protest against the deliberate short pitched bowling tactics of Pakistan. Sarfraz Nawaz’s last 4 deliveries were all out of reach of the batsmen, and not called wide by the umpire. Pakistan was declared the winner.

Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket, 1985 in Australia saw the two teams locking horns in the final which India won by 8 wickets.

80s was also the era when players like Azharuddin, Ravi Shastri, Wasim Akram, Salim Malik and Sidhu emerged and bring a fresh zeal into the contest. Australasia Cup final is the prime example of that zeal when Javed Miandad needing 4 runs on last ball hit Chetan Sharma for a six.

In 1987, Pakistan comes to Indian for 5 tests first 4 tests were drawn, the final test was low scoring thriller, which has all the ingredient of a pot boiler, Pakistan bundled out on 116, where maninder sing took 7/27, India in its first inning too goes out cheaply and makes 145, Pakistan spin duo Tauseef Ahmad and Iqbal Qasim took 5 wickets each. Pakistan in 3rd inning of the test batted with caution and made 249 runs, scoring 41 runs, and spinner Tauseef Ahmed added 51 runs for the ninth wicket.

Chasing 221, India had a bad start as Wasim Akram dismissed Srikkanth and Amarnath that left India at 15/2, In his final test Sunil Gavaskar was stood like a wall, but on the other end the team crumbled like a deck of card, the wicket continue to fall at regular interval, Azhar, Vengsarkar and Roger Binny were the players who touched two digits apart from Gavaskar, He got out on 96 and India loss the match by 16 runs.
it was Pakistan’s first series win in India.

In 1989 India again visited Pakistan for 4 tests, all of which were drawn. It was the tour where Sachin Tendulkar made his debut.

India vs Pakistan 1990s – Till date

With ups and downs in political situation the matches are far and few between two teams.

1999 Pakistan Tour of India

After the hiatus of 10 years, on the wave of Atal Bihari Vajpeyi’s cricket diplomacy, Pakistan toured India in 1998-99. The first test was test was the disastrous Chennai Test, where an injured Sachin made 136 in last inning, when Sachin got out, India needed 17 runs with 3 wickets in hand, and failed to do so and collapsed. India lost 4 wickets from 254 to 258 and lost by 12 runs. Sachin was given MoM, which he still regrets.

The next test was the Kumble’s through and through. He become the 2nd bowler after Jim Laker to claim all 10 wickets in an innings. India won the test by 212 run. Anil Kumble was MoM and Saqlain Mushtaq was Man of the series with 4 five wicket hauls in as many innings.

2003 India Tour of Pakistan

The 1999 Kargil conflict strained relations between India and Pakistan, leading to the cancellation of the scheduled cricket series. However, in 2003, cricket emerged as a means of diplomacy when India toured Pakistan for a historic series. The tour encompassed five One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Test matches, marked a significant chapter in the cricketing rivalry between the two nations.

In a thrilling battle of wits, determination and cricketing excellence, India clinched the series by 3-2. Kaif’s flying catch of Shoaib Mailk, Sachin’s 143 & Inzmam’s 123 in a losing cause, Kaif-Dravid-Yuvraj’s heroics in 4th ODI, and VVS Laxman’s gritty century in 5th ODI were the highlights of the series.

In Test series which India won by the margin of 2-1, India started on high note, and made 675 runs in the process Virendra Sehwag makes history with his brutal 309 with Tendulkar assisting him with 194 not out. India won by an innings and 52 runs. The next test was won by Pakistan by 10 wickets, with help of Imran Farhat and Inzamam ul Haq’s 101 and 118 respectively
The last test again, India won by an innings and 131 runs where Rahul Dravid made 270.

What made this tour truly special was the camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed by both teams. The matches were played with a spirit of healthy competition and mutual respect, showcasing the true essence of cricket as a unifying force.

After the 2003 tour, there were three more tours before cricketing ties discontinued after 2008 Mumbai attacks. Pakistan’s tour of India in 2004-05 which were a series draw, India in Pakistan in 2005-06 which Pakistan won by 1-0 and again Pakistan’s tour of India in 2007-08 which was won by India 1-0.

India vs Pakistan In ICC Tournaments

1992
India never lost to Pakistan in World cup starting from 1992, where India has a dismal outing and Pakistan were the world champion, India still managed to win the match by 43 runs.

1996
India once again defeated arch rivals Pakistan, It was the quarterfinal of 1996 world cup. Indian batted first and made 287/8, The heroes of the match were Navjot Sing Sidhu (93) and Ajay Jadeja who made 45 in 25 balls. Jadeja famously took 22 runs in one over of Waqar Younis which propelled India’s score at the end. Pakistan only managed to make 248/9, Prasad and Kumble took 3 wickets each, India won the match by 39 runs.

1999
This India vs Pakistan was in super-six match of 1999 world cup which India won by 47 runs in a low scoring thriller, Sachin(45), Dravid(61) and Azhar(59) helped India to reach 227/6. Pakistan got out on 180, Venkatesh Prasad took 5/27.

2003
It was Sachin vs Pakistan in 2003 in South Africa, He almost single handedly tore apart the famed bowling lineup of Pakistan consisting of Akram, Akhtar, Waqar, Afridi and Razzak. Played in Centurion, Pakistan made a respectable total of 273 with the help of superb century by formidable Saeed Anwar, Zaheer Khan took 4 for 43. Chasing 274, India started the attack which is now the thing of legends, Sachin made 75 balls 98, which left Pakistan battered and bruised, India won the match by 6 wickets

In 2007 both the team got evicted in group stage.

2011
India faced the challenge of arch rivals Pakistan in the semifinal of the tournament. With help of the 85 runs of Sachin Tendulkar, India managed to make 260/9. The collective tight bowling from Ashish Nehra, Munaf, Zaheer, Harbhajan and Yuvraj restricted the Pakistan to 231, India won the match by 29 runs, Sachin was Man of the Match.

2015
India won by 76 runs in 2015 world cup encounter between two teams, Virat Kohli who scored 107 and Mohd Shami(4/35) were the hero of match.

2019
India won the 2019 world cup, India vs Pakistan match by 89 runs (D/L method) where Rohit Sharma made 140 runs in 165 balls.

Conclusion

The India vs Pakistan cricketing rivalry is more than just a series of matches; it is a reflection of the shared history, cultural ties, and competitive spirit between two nations. While political tensions have at times strained relations, cricket has repeatedly emerged as a catalyst for dialogue and understanding. As both nations continue to excel on the international stage, the rivalry ensures that every encounter remains a spectacle for fans worldwide, reminding us of the unifying power of sport.