“India-Pakistan Rivalry Has Become An Industry” – Gautam Gambhir

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir believes that the cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan has become an industry in itself. Gambhir’s comments come ahead of the T20 World Cup, where Australia and New Zealand will take on each other in a repeat of the 2015 ODI World Cup clash.

The cricketer-turned-politician contrasted the Australia-New Zealand rivalry with that of India and Pakistan. Gambhir said that Australia and New Zealand are passionate about winnings but the rivalry is not as fierce as India and Pakistan.

“It is difficult to notice the cricketing rivalry between Australia and New Zealand. Like India and Pakistan, they are neighbours too. Like Indians and Pakistanis, Aussies and Kiwis hate losing to each other… By no means is the rivalry as fierce as the one between India and Pakistan. Have you wondered why? Are they not cynical enough to create lop-sided advertising campaigns to sell their products riding on what is essentially a cricket match? Or is it economics of the major stakeholders?” Gautam Gambhir wrote on TOI. 

As per Star's reports, the #IndvsPak match has recorded the highest views for a #T20I match surpassing the #IndvsWI, 2016 #T20Worldcup semifinals!#t20worldcup2021 #India #Pakistan #Cricket #167million pic.twitter.com/QUiwoHcj8b

— Zenminds Sports Media Center (@ZenmindsMedia) November 9, 2021

Gautam Gambhir further believes the stakeholders from both sides of the borders are keen to keep this rivalry alive because it generates a lot of revenue.

“History of India and Pakistan seems to be at the base of the sporting rivalry. Since 1947 we have fought four times and have had numerous skirmishes on the border. This has seeped into sports too, cricket being the frontrunner. I sometimes feel that India-Pakistan rivalry has become an industry in itself, which keeps many other verticals warm. No one seems to be in a hurry to reduce the jingoism volume on this one as it generates revenue,” he added. 

We can’t say, “bad luck” or “well played” and share a post-match drink – Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir also drew comparisons between the population of India-Pakistan and Australia-New Zealand, suggesting that it has a significant role to play in making the rivalry fierce.

“The combined population of Australia and New Zealand is around three crores while here we are catering to 22 crores in Pakistan and approximately 140 crores at home. The database is chalk and cheese. Even if 10 per cent of the population of India and Pakistan are engaged, we are talking to five times more the combined number of Australia and New Zealand.”

“Then there is a small matter of emotions from Indians and Pakistanis. I am not suggesting that Aussie and Kiwis are heartless but we can’t say, “bad luck” or “well played” and share a post-match drink. It is not only Virat Kohli but most of India wears their heart on their sleeve. Let’s accept it that we are poor losers and that is what that marketing guy exploits when he sucks us into high-pitched, biased promotional campaigns,” Gautam Gambhir concluded.