Former India opener Gautam Gambhir feels that the rivalry between India and Pakistan has become an industry for many. Gambhir further added that Australi and New Zealand are also rivals but the competitiveness is not as fierce as that of India-Pakistan. His comments come ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup finale between Australia and New Zealand.
“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 the economics of the major stakeholders?”
The two-time World Cup winner highlighted the cloaked part of the India-Pakistan rivalry, which he feels is kept alive with the intention of making money.
“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.”