India’s new T20 World Cup promotional video has added another edge to cricket’s most watched rivalry by taking a clear shot at Pakistan ahead of their February 15 clash. The promo, released by Star Sports, appears to be a direct response to the Recent video of Pakistan vs Australia series, which subtly referred to the no handshake controversy involving India.
The clip leans heavily on humor and confidence. A video featuring Indian YouTube personality Abhishek Malhan and fans in Indian jerseys shows a playful confrontation with a Pakistani supporter and suggests how the rivalry has become increasingly one-sided in recent years.
Watch the video:
This sentiment was also reflected on the pitch. India captain Suryakumar Yadav brushed aside talk of rivalry before the Super 4 match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup last year. His comments gained relevance as the tournament progressed, with India repeatedly getting the better of their neighbours.
India defeated Pakistan three times in the Asia Cup — once in the group stage, again in the Super 4 and then in the final. These wins were part of a wider trend. In the last 15 years, India have won 24 of the 32 matches played between the two sides, with Pakistan’s victories coming mostly on rare days off when they have managed to beat expectations.
The Asia Cup was not without controversy off the pitch. After winning the title, India chose not to collect the trophy from Asian Cricket Council officials, including Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, citing the prevailing political situation. The episode again highlighted how diplomatic tensions continue to affect cricketing events involving the two nations.
All this sets the stage for a high-profile T20 World Cup match. Although India is co-hosting the tournament, the India vs Pakistan match will not be played on Indian soil. Instead, the match was scheduled at the R. Premadasa Stadium, with Pakistan not traveling to India and continuing under the agreed hybrid model for ICC events.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
January 29, 2026
