India vs Pakistan: Rivalry Beyond Borders, India Holds the Edge

Once symbols of friendship, India and Pakistan’s women now face each other in a clash where pride, passion, and national spirit are at stake. Anjana Sasi writes on how this rivalry—once softer—now mirrors the times, with India walking in stronger and determined to uphold both skill and dignity.

X: @anjanasasi

Colombo: When India and Pakistan take the field on October 5 in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, the atmosphere will be electric and heavy. Every India-Pakistan contest is more than just a cricket match. It is a meeting of emotion, pride, politics, and passion — a contest that always carries an emotional edge.

After the Asia Cup final drama, tension between the two nations — both on and off the field — has intensified. And that sentiment will spill into the women’s game. The question isn’t just who will win tomorrow, it’s whether the players will even exchange smiles or handshakes when it’s all over.

From Friendship to Frost

In the 2022 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, the tone was very different. Despite the rivalry, there was warmth and humanity between the players. When Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof brought her baby to the ground, Indian players surrounded her with affection, took pictures, and shared them online — a moment that went viral for all the right reasons.

It showed that sport could rise above politics, that friendship and respect could exist even between teams divided by history.

Three years later, the mood feels different. After the Asia Cup final in Dubai, even a handshake might become a headline. Those once-celebrated images of camaraderie now seem like memories from another time. The warmth has cooled. The distance is visible. Tomorrow’s match will test not just cricketing skills but also emotional strength and professionalism.

India Favoured, But Rivalry Has Its Own Rules

On paper, India is the stronger side — more experienced, better balanced, and in excellent form. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur have led the batting unit with class and consistency, while the bowling attack has shown sharpness and control.

Pakistan, meanwhile, remains unpredictable — flashes of brilliance from Fatima Sana and Sidra Ameen tempered by inconsistency. For Pakistan to win, they must strike early, stay composed, and seize the pressure moments.

Before the tournament began, Fatima Sana spoke calmly at the captains’ press conference:

“Our preparations have been focused and purposeful. The conditions in Colombo are similar to home. We’re aiming to play positive cricket and make Pakistan proud.”

After Pakistan’s opening loss to Bangladesh, the young captain admitted that her team “couldn’t nail the high-pressure moments” and would “sit together with the coach to make better plans” — a reflection of a side still finding its rhythm.

Also Read: When Songs Became Prayers, Cricket Became Celebration: Guwahati Welcomes the World

In contrast, India began with authority — a commanding win against Sri Lanka in Guwahati. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised her team’s resilience:

“Every game in an ICC tournament is high pressure. The way Deepti [Sharma] and Amanjot [Kaur] handled the situation was outstanding. Having batting depth till number seven or eight is our biggest strength.”

Given current form and balance, India holds about a 70 percent winning probability, while Pakistan’s chances hover around 30. But for Indian fans, it isn’t just about numbers — it’s about continuing an unbeaten World Cup record against Pakistan and reminding the world that India leads not just in cricketing prowess, but in resilience and pride.

Beyond Runs and Wickets

Regardless of who wins tomorrow, this match is bigger than cricket. It will test not only skill but character — whether both teams can uphold the spirit of the game amid noise and pressure. Will we see another gesture of friendship, or will the players walk past each other in silence?

In 2022, we saw how sport could soften borders — how a smile, a hug, or a shared photo could speak louder than political statements. Whether that spirit still exists, or whether rivalry has replaced respect, is what the world will watch for this time.

But one thing remains certain: India steps onto the field not only as favourites but as flag-bearers of grace under fire. For India, the real victory will be twofold — on the scoreboard, and in showing the world that our players can dominate with both skill and dignity.

Rivalries may carry politics. India carries pride.