NEW DELHI: It’s another day of rivalry at the T20 World Cup. The tournament culminates with the trans-Tasman neighbours Australia and New Zealand vying for the trophy in the final on Sunday night. But where does this rivalry stand compared to India vs Pakistan? Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir reflects.
“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. While Wikipedia has a page on ‘India Pakistan Cricket Rivalry’, it is more widespread for Aussies and Kiwis,” Gambhir wrote in his column for The Times of India on Sunday.
“Encouraged by their contests in cricket, rugby union, rugby league and netball, their Wikipedia address is ‘Australia-New Zealand Sports Rivalries’.

“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? I have a few thoughts which may not be in the order of relevance but largely my chain of theories.”
India met Pakistan in their opening match of the T20 World Cup in the UAE. The Babar Azam-led Pakistan put up an inspiring show to hammer Virat Kohli’s India by 10 wickets.
“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,” said Gambhir.
“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.

Gambhir went on to point out at the sheer numbers in terms of population that fuel the Indo-Pak cricket rivlary even further and uncomparable to any other.
“The combined population of Australia and New Zealand is around three crores while here we are catering to 22 crore in Pakistan and approximately 140 crore at home. The database is chalk and cheese. Even if 10 percent of population of India and Pakistan are engaged, we are talking to five times more the combined number of Australia and New Zealand,” he wrote.
“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,” the T20 and ODI World Cup winner said.

“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.
My friends living in Australia tell me that life has been normal for them. Their major worry is how to stay awake as the final begins around midnight their time,” said Gambhir.
Coming to the T20 World Cup final on Sunday night, Gambhir went on to back New Zealand.
“I want New Zealand to win as I like their brand of cricket. Besides, I liked a Kiwi joke which I stumbled online. It goes: A Kiwi asks his Aussie friend: ‘Do you want to hear a joke about the construction industry in Australia?’ Intrigued and cornered, the Aussie says, ‘Yes mate’. The Kiwi replies, ‘Too bad, you guys are still working on it’.”