Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has stirred debate by claiming that beating Pakistan no longer carries the same weight for Team India, especially in modern-day white-ball cricket. His remarks came shortly after the Pakistan government confirmed that its men’s team will not take the field against India in their highly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage clash scheduled for February 15.
According to Manjrekar, the once-iconic India vs Pakistan rivalry has lost much of its competitive edge over the years due to the growing gap in quality and consistency between the two teams. Speaking in a video shared on Instagram, the former cricketer said the hype around the fixture often outweighs what unfolds on the field.
“Honestly, for a long time now, the actual game has not lived up to the hype. The reason is simple – India and Pakistan are not in the same league anymore,” Sanjay Manjrekar said. He recalled that in the 1990s and earlier, Pakistan were a formidable opponent, making victories over them feel special. “Now, when India beats Pakistan, it doesn’t give the same sense of achievement. The joy and pride come when India beats teams like Australia, England, New Zealand, or South Africa,” he added.
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Manjrekar also pointed to structural differences in the two cricketing ecosystems, highlighting how India’s talent pipeline and domestic system have consistently produced high-quality youngsters. In contrast, he suggested that Pakistan’s development pathway has not kept pace, which is reflected in their performances at major tournaments. Citing recent Asia Cup encounters, he argued that the contrast in depth and preparedness between the two sides has become increasingly evident.
The numbers back Manjrekar’s view to an extent. India currently hold a dominant head-to-head record over Pakistan in ICC tournaments, winning 13 of their 16 meetings. In the 2025 Asia Cup, India defeated Pakistan three times, including a comprehensive win in the final to clinch the title.
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Despite the political uncertainty surrounding the India-Pakistan fixture at the T20 World Cup 2026, Manjrekar believes the tournament’s value will not diminish. “If the India-Pakistan match doesn’t happen, it’s not a big deal. The real tests for India come against top teams like Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa,” he said, adding that these are the contests that truly measure India’s standing in world cricket.
India and Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside the Netherlands, USA, and Namibia. The top two teams from the group will advance to the Super Eight stage, where the competition is expected to intensify as the race for the title heats up.
