NEW DELHI: A day after getting knocked out of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan's cricket squad faced severe criticism, with renowned cricketer Sunil Gavaskar commenting on their dwindling competitiveness against India. The 2023 ODI World Cup finalists, India, continued to assert their dominance over Pakistan by defeating the reigning champions by six wickets during the tournament held recently in Dubai.
Gavaskar, speaking on 'Sports Today', remarked, "I think a B team certainly (can give Pakistan a run for their money). C team, I am not too sure. But a B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan in their current form." This reflects the current sentiment surrounding the two teams, illustrating how India has maintained its cricketing prowess against its rival.
Following India's victory, Pakistan has ignited discussions about its cricketing future and its continuous failure to compete effectively on the international stage. Despite hosting the ICC competition for the first time since 1996, the nation has yet to achieve any success, with the most recent defeat pushing them to question their cricketing infrastructure and player development.
"It’s surprising—this lack of bench strength. Pakistan always had natural talent," Gavaskar noted. He reminisced about players who, through sheer instinct and temperament, were able to excel, mentioning former star batsman, "Look at Inzamam-ul-Haq, for example... he had great temperament. With his kind of temperament, he made up for any technical shortcomings."
Yet, he pointed out the struggle to produce players capable of rising to the occasion, even with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and domestic competitions. "How has India produced so many young stars? It’s because of the IPL," Gavaskar analyzed, indicating the systematic approach to nurturing talent across the border.
But is the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry still considered one of the greatest? The question lingers, especially amid the backdrop of cultural and historical significance. A new Netflix documentary titled "The Greatest Rivalry: India v Pakistan" explores this complex relationship, featuring insights from cricket greats like Virender Sehwag and Waqar Younis.
Sehwag summarised the rivalry's essence: "This is bigger than just the bat and ball—a contest amplified by the history between the two nations." R Ashwin concurred, stating, "I think this is bigger than the Ashes." The documentary depicts how, even against the backdrop of warfare and national tensions, the cricket rivalry has remained fierce and passionate.
Despite the moments of glory, India's recent cricketing performances have cast shadows over the rivalry. From stunning victories, such as the eight-wicket win at the 2018 Champions Trophy to the 228-run triumph referenced recently, India has taken control, leading to discussions on the rivalry’s potency and relevance.
After the Champions Trophy defeat, various Pakistani media outlets expressed their views, with Dawn questioning the essence of the rivalry: "What rivalry?" they noted. Meanwhile, India Today pointed out Pakistan's declining performance, claiming, "Pakistan cricket is fast sliding to pity territory," stressing the urgent need for the team to rectify its standing.
Much of the current environment stems from Pakistan's inability to compete effectively, leading analysts like Zohaib Ahmed Majeed to assert, "The troubled politics between the two neighbours are the only things keeping this rivalry alive." He contended, "Cut out the war of words and the actual wars, and what you'll be left with is simply no competition. They are not competitive based on pure cricketing merits anymore."
Pakistan's struggle has roots entrenched deeply within its cricketing framework—stemming from the 2009 terrorist attack on Sri Lanka’s cricket team, leading to years of isolation and political challenges. Pakistan cricket has suffered from board instability and frequent coaching changes, which only adds to its woes. Meanwhile, India's cricketing strategies and the IPL have elevated them as the powerhouse of the sport.
Writer Osman Samiuddin highlighted the psychological aspect of the matchups, stating, "There is marginalization... Pakistani cricketers see their Indian counterparts partaking in cricket and feeling excluded from it." He emphasized the role of television and sponsorships, which have increasingly showcased Indian cricket as the stronger entity.
This psychological barrier has also contributed to Pakistan's deteriorated state, with figures like Sidharth Monga expressing concern about the state of the team: "Even when Pakistan plummeted to spectacular lows, they justified their mercurial nature. But this current slide feels terminal and slow. There are no fighting spirits, just resignation to defeat."
The "war without guns" narrative flourished between the two countries, especially when Pakistan's legendary pacers brought fear to opposing batsmen. Author Nadeem Farooq Paracha remarked, "The narrative was true until the early 2000s, but it turned commercial, sold as overt nationalism"—adding layers to the rivalry now fueled more by business than competition.
Even with dismal performances, the spectacle remains intact—those die-hard supporters, the ones with painted faces and fervent cheers, continue to flock to matches. Vice-captain Shubman Gill emphasized this enthusiasm, insisting, "Everyone enjoys watching it. If so many are happy, who are we to judge its significance?" Indeed, tickets for their matches still fly off the shelves.
The match against Pakistan continues to set records for viewership, with over 600 million tuning in during the Champions Trophy match, affirming the rivalry's potential for drawing crowds economically and emotionally. Cricket journalist Ayaz Memon aptly remarked, "the hype is more thrilling than the cricket itself."