'There’s an issue with that contest': Michael Atherton slams the hype around India-Pakistan rivalry

The much-hyped India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has once again failed to deliver the thrilling contest fans expected, and Michael Atherton has labeled it a “one-sided” affair in Dubai. The former England captain said that the on-field action between India and Pakistan no longer justifies the massive hype surrounding the fixture.

India extended their dominance over their arch-rivals in ICC events with the comfortable six-wicket victory over Pakistan in their Group A match in Dubai on February 23. And Michael Atherton has pointed out that Pakistan’s batting lineup once again crumbled under pressure, showing a lack of energy and aggression, similar to their earlier defeat against New Zealand.

Michael Atherton says the India-Pakistan rivalry losing its edge

Michael Atherton said on Sky Sports Podcast: “It was completely one-sided. It looked very predictable from a long way out. There’s a bit of an issue with that contest, isn’t there? Because it’s a highly anticipated contest for all kinds of reasons.

Partly, you know, just because of the scarcity value. They only play each other in ICC events on neutral territory for obvious reasons. But there’s such hype around that fixture. You kind of want the cricket to live up to that hype as well.”

Read Also: Sunil Gavaskar hands Pakistan a brutal reality check; claims India's B team can also beat them

Atherton noted that the Indian cricket team has dominated the rivalry in ODIs over the last decade, winning eight out of nine encounters, with Pakistan’s only success coming in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. He also pointed out Pakistan’s dominance in the 2000s, but then India is just everywhere.

It’s a one-sided contest right now: Michael Atherton on India-Pakistan battle

However, the issue is for Atherton that there is always the intense buzz and emotional weight surrounding the India-Pakistan match, but the on-field actions tell a different story. The cricket pundit said that he is really disappointed that the India-Pakistan game is given too much hype despite failing to live up to the expectations over the years.

Atherton signed off by saying, “If you look at the results in the last 10 years, I think they’ve played each other nine times in ODIs in the last 10 years. Pakistan has only won once, and that was in that final in the Champions Trophy at the Oval.

So, it’s a one-sided contest right now and the numbers are the proof. Since the start of 2000, actually, Pakistan has been very competitive in ODIs against India. But in the last 10 years, in those nine games, it’s pretty much all gone India’s way with one exception.”

Read Also: Michael Atherton sensationally accuses ICC of giving India an unfair advantage in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

India qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals

Notably, the Men in Blue are in great form in ODI cricket lately, whitewashing England in the home series 3-0 and then stunning Bangladesh and Pakistan to ensure their qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals. On the other hand, Pakistan are out of the semifinals race.

The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team will next play their final group match against the in-form New Zealand team on March 2 in Dubai before the actions shift to the knockouts. It will be an enthralling batting as both teams are in red-hot form, having won both group matches.