The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is legendary, defined by its unmatched intensity and rich history. In a special episode of JioHotstar’s Greatest Rivalry Returns, cricketing legends Yuvraj Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Shahid Afridi, and Inzamam-ul-Haq revisited iconic moments from their past encounters and shared their insights ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
Navjot Singh Sidhu on why India vs Pakistan is the greatest rivalry:
“It is the mother of all battles. There’s nothing bigger than this. I think it’s the tension that holds everybody together. When 150 crore people expect a win from you, they will never swallow a defeat. There is a culture of retribution. This game is played more between the ears than between the hands—it’s a psychological battle. There’s plenty of nervous energy floating around, but the side that converts it into positive energy is the side that will win.”
Yuvraj Singh humorously recalls his first India vs Pakistan match in 2003:
“It’s one of the greatest ODI games I’ve played. My friend Shahid Afridi welcomed me with a lot of ‘kind words’ in that game. That was when I truly understood what the India-Pakistan rivalry meant. Watching it on TV was one thing, but playing in it was completely different. I remember the immense pressure, but performing well in that game gave me the confidence to become a better player in the future.”
Shahid Afridi recalls Yuvraj Singh’s rivalry moment:
“Yuvraj was young at the time, just finding his place in the team. We had the opportunity to play alongside legends like Inzamam-ul-Haq bhai and Wasim Akram bhai, who taught us how to fight on the ground, how to win matches, and how to unsettle the opposition. Our seniors used to tell us, ‘Show the opposition your eyes. Put pressure on them.’ But Yuvraj is the son of a Sardar—he doesn’t take pressure. He came in with confidence, and despite everything we said, he focused on his batting and handled it very well.”
Shahid Afridi on the significance of the India vs Pakistan rivalry:
“For a cricketer, an India-Pakistan match is a golden opportunity, especially for youngsters. It was always my dream. Before a match, I couldn’t sleep at night—I would think about my performance and how I couldn’t afford to miss this chance. Even if I hadn’t performed in the last five or six matches, if I did well in an India-Pakistan game, everything would be forgiven. That’s how big this rivalry is.”
Yuvraj Singh on the upcoming India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025:
“No matter the format, an India-Pakistan game always feels like a final—whether it’s a group match, a semifinal, or the championship itself. The pressure is immense. You don’t want to lose because it sets the tone for the tournament. Winning builds momentum and confidence. I remember the last time I played in the Champions Trophy, we beat Pakistan in the first game, but they beat us in the final. So, nothing is guaranteed. But starting with a win on such a big stage, with the whole world watching, is crucial.”
Inzamam-ul-Haq on India vs Pakistan mostly clashing in ICC tournaments:
“There is always pressure. When you play just one match a year, that pressure is amplified. Nowadays, with so much cricket being broadcast, players watch each other closely. Earlier, we approached it as a team game—whichever team had better balance had the upper hand. But with T20 cricket evolving, the game has shifted towards individual brilliance. A single player can turn a match around. India has had a strong team in recent years, especially with all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya providing balance in the lower order. In subcontinent conditions, having such players makes a huge difference. Even now, the team with better balance will have the edge.”
Down Memory Lane : Aakash Chopra on India’s decision to bowl first in the 2017 final:
“When you play against Pakistan—that’s one thing—but two, it’s also the final of a tournament. If you lose the toss, you may be asked to bowl first anyway, and you go with it. But if you win the toss, you bat first and just bat them out of the game. Pakistan will play like Pakistan; you can almost anticipate that they will crumble under pressure if you put enough runs on the board. But we chose to bowl. From what I understood at the time, the coaching staff wanted India to bat first, but the captain wanted to bowl first. In the end, it’s the captain who runs the team, and that’s what we did.
Sanjay Manjrekar on why the 2025 edition is crucial for certain players:
“There are a few players in the current team who would still carry the scars of that 2017 final loss to Pakistan—Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli—who are now obviously big names in world cricket. They’ve been through that tough experience. So, winning this tournament would serve as nice ointment for them. But it won’t be an easy game.”
Catch all the action as India and Pakistan face off at 2:30 PM IST on Sunday, February 23, in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, on JioStar Network and JioHotstar. Stay tuned for more exclusive discussions and legendary matchups on JioHotstar’s Greatest Rivalry Returns!
