When it comes to rivalries in cricket, nothing tops India vs Pakistan. The contest between the two Asian arch-rivals has seen battles of historic proportions dating back to the 1980s, and has only intensified in the last 40 years. The chronicles of India vs Pakistan encounters are filled with iconic moments that have transcended time. From Javed Miandad's audacious last-ball six off Chetan Sharma to Irfan Pathan's scintillating hat-trick in Karachi, and the dramatic T20 World Cup bowl-out followed by a climactic final, these battles have scripted narratives of sheer drama and brilliance. Sachin Tendulkar's magnum opus at Centurion during the 2003 World Cup and the enthralling Chennai epic four years prior, not to mention Shoaib Akhtar's thunderous arrival on Kolkata's stage in 1999, all add to the enchantment of this ageless rivalry.The course of the India-Pakistan cricket saga has been a tumultuous journey marked by twists and turns. The 1980s witnessed Pakistan's ascendancy over India, setting the stage for a riveting era. The 1990s ushered in a more evenly-balanced contest, a pattern that extended into the 2000s. However, the tides of fate shifted post 2010, with India emerging as the dominant force. A slew of victories over their arch-rivals underscored India's prowess, exemplified by triumphs in the 2014 T20 World Cup and the 2016 World T20. Yet, a poignant twist awaited, as Pakistan broke a billion Indian hearts by clinching victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. The pendulum swung back in India's favor at the 2019 World Cup, where they exacted sweet revenge with a commanding win over their adversary.Amid the grand string of trivias and defining moments, one statistic stands as a testament to India's dominance – the 7-0 record. This signifies the number of ODI World Cup encounters that India has conquered against Pakistan. Ever since the 1992 edition held in Australia, Pakistan has been thwarted time and again in their quest to overcome India's might in this pinnacle tournament. While a breakthrough was finally achieved in the T20 World Cup of 2021, the 50-over format has been India's playground. The victories in Sydney, Bengaluru, twice in Manchester, Centurion, Mohali, and Adelaide have firmly established India's supremacy on this grand stage.
