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As a passionate cricket fan, I was excited to watch The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan (2025), expecting a well-rounded portrayal of this iconic contest. However, the documentary felt more like The Virender Sehwag Story rather than a true exploration of the India-Pakistan cricketing legacy.

While Sehwag's contributions were phenomenal, the documentary largely overlooked other legendary players who shaped this rivalry. Sachin Tendulkar's iconic battles, Sourav Ganguly's fearless leadership, Rahul Dravid's resilience, and Virat Kohli's unforgettable knock in recent times deserved more attention. MS Dhoni's fearless batting against Pakistan in his early days. The likes of Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and other key figures who played crucial roles in these encounters were barely acknowledged.

A rivalry of this magnitude isn't defined by just one player-it's a saga of countless unforgettable moments and legendary performances from both sides. The documentary could have been even better with more episodes and a deeper dive into these iconic stories that fans would have loved to relive.

What a series!! This documentary series masterfully captures the essence of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry that transcends mere sports to embody the complexities of their shared history and cultural heritage. It expertly weaves together archival footage, interviews with cricket legends and insightful commentary from journalists and analysts and delves into the tumultuous history of India-Pakistan relations.

In 2004, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee played a significant role in reviving cricketing diplomacy. The Indian team toured Pakistan in 2004, a series that was as much about cricket as it was about politics and diplomacy and that series also ended the 15-year hiatus in cricket between two countries. And India emerged victorious on Pakistani soil.

Shoaib Akhtar's candid admission sums up the intensity of the series: "Jitne ke liye nahi khel rahe thhe, bachane ke liye khel rahe thhe!" (We were playing not to win but to survive). "The glory is in struggle!". The true triumph of the Indian team, however, went beyond the scoreboard as they were met with an unexpected yet heartwarming response from the Pakistani people.

Unfortunately, I missed watching this series live and couldn't even catch the highlights, but the documentary brought back the excitement and tension of that iconic series.

The documentary also highlights the art of reverse swing, a technique that Pakistani bowlers like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis mastered. It also reveals how Pakistani bowlers would scratch one side of the ball to create uneven wear and then hide the ball while bowling to conceal the shiny surface. This will cause reverse swing leaving batsmen bewildered.

Through interviews with cricket legends like Virender Sehwag, Shoaib Akhtar and Sourav Ganguly, the documentary provides a nuanced understanding of the intense passion and pressure that define India-Pakistan cricket matches.

Did you know Sehwag had a unique technique to focus on his batting? He would often sing a song in his mind, synchronizing its rhythm with the bowler's delivery. And surprisingly, his go-to song was 'Samne Ye Kaun Aaya, Dil Mein Machi Hulchal' that helped him get into the zone!! The Sultan of Multan!!!! :-)

Despite the great cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan, the players from both countries share a deep desire for peace and brotherhood. Sport has the power to unite people across borders and cultures. Let's hope that it can inspire a more peaceful and harmonious relationship between India and Pakistan. Amen! It's a powerful reminder of the enduring appeal of sports to bring people together, even in the face of deep-seated differences. A must watch.

While I enjoyed watching this 3 part show, this felt....very incomplete and wasn't what I expected it to be. The show is primarily from Sehwag and Shoaib Akthar's POV and the roles they played in the India's tour of Pakistan.

The cricket rivalry is more than the one tour and while there's some political context provided, it's not enough to do justice to the title of the doc. I understand that given the vast (cricketing) history between both these nations, it's not easy to make a documentary but just call it "2004 India tour of Pakistan" instead of making it sound like it's about the cricketing history. Plus, it's misleading this is mainly about the ICT making history in bilateral competition. If that's what you're going for, go all out telling the story from India's POV but they didn't do that either.

It's always fun to listen to people share stories and context you may not have known behind real life events, that was the only fun part about the show. But as much as I liked listening to everybody speak, it wasn't what was sold to me and it was too less. I mean, how do you make a documentary about India vs Pakistan cricket without the T20 final?

Watch it anyway, but go in without expectations and go in to listen to a handful of players talk about the context behind ONE series and you'll probably not be disappointed.

Right from its announcement, it has created a sense of excitement, as an India vs Pakistan match is not just a cricketing war-it is, in turn, a battle of pent-up emotions.

Another Netflix documentary is here, focusing largely on India's tour of Pakistan in 2004 and bit of Pakistan's tour of India in 1999. It explores the atmosphere of those times-the political scenario, the Cold War-like tensions, and behind-the-scenes moments from the cricketing world, where arch-enemies on the field turn out to be friends off it.

It is surely a nostalgic trip for 90s kids, making you feel like you are reliving those moments all over again. Featuring interviews with Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, Shoaib Akhtar, and Inzamam-ul-Haq in prominent screen time, the documentary also includes insights from Wasim Akram, R. Ashwin, Shikhar Dhawan, and others. The political turmoil between these two nations can be felt through the words of these sporting legends.

The match footage surely evokes emotions and hits hard. Creatively, what works best is that the series is not biased toward one country, giving equal importance to both sides. However, this also dilutes the emotional depth that could have been achieved if it had been told from a single country's perspective. One would have expected more cricketing legends to feature in the series, especially Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Yuvraj Singh, but unfortunately, they chose not to be part of it. Additionally, while the documentary primarily focuses on the 2004 tour, it could have explored more.

Watch it if you love cricket. Watch it if you want to understand this historic rivalry. Watch it to experience the emotions behind the game. And lastly, watch it because it is three-episode documentary that won't take much of your time.

#PranuReviews #TheGreatestRivalryIndiaVsPakistan #TheGreatestRivalryIndiaVsPakistanReview.

This is not just a documentary; it's an emotional rollercoaster through the heart of a sporting clash that transcends cricket. More than just wickets and runs, it's about history, identity, and the weight of a billion dreams. This is a must-watch that will leave you breathless, reminding you that this rivalry is more than a game - it's a saga etched in emotion and fire.

Whenever something bad happens to india, india thinks its because of pakistan, and whenever something bad happens to pakistan, pakistan thinks its because of india, and both are wrong. Majority of the people of both sides have just an emotional approach, nothing else, but but but, there are a lot of such people who have no narrowmindedness in their brains. And they love each other, they wanna meet each other they have got tons of love for each other.

So love and be loved. Period. Love for pakistan and india too.

You make a series on indo-pak from 1999-2005, with no mention of Sachin's batting exploits ? Even if it is pivoting on two series- 1999 and 2004, where are Sachin's great innings of Chennai, Rawalpindi or even Multan? The tide of the rivalry changed with Sachin's centurion knock- no mention of that? Sachin's catch of inzamam that turned the final ODI or that Googly to moin in Multan ?

Yaaawn! Same old tropes- Pakistan bowling great, sehwag's daredevilry.. tired of them now!

4 points- for Ganguly, Osman, Inzamam , Waqar interviews.. too much time to Akhtar and Sehwag interviews.

Even in the cursory Sachin tribute in the beginning- u talk about his 1992 World Cup exploits and video shows him batting in Sharjah in 1998.. why call it greatest rivalry- essentially it is only about 2 series, which too are inadequately researched... Might as well call it - Sehwag and Akhtar show.

Yet to see a good sports documentary coming from India.

What an amazing documentary! Totally immersed into it and couldn't help remember all the times we would be glued onto our screen as children. These cricketers were almost God like figures for us. I dont understand the negative reviews. It seems the Indian viewers totally rejected the positive message of this documentary and fixated over their biases and hate. Cricket is supposed to bring our two nations closers. Leave the rivalry on the cricket pitch just as these great players. Off the field they were and are good friends just like the people of these two nations should be. I highly recommend to everyone to watch this documentary.

I haven't seen a bigger waste of opportunity in a documentary ever. They missed so many big names of the rivalry. Why even bother making such a half-cooked documentary if you couldn't manage to get the players' interviews? And if it's supposed to deal with India vs Pakistan tours back in the 2000s, what's Ashwin and Dhawan doing in all of these? The shock factors make absolutely no sense. Shehwag and Akhtar were probably the only ones they could manage and made them blabber throughout the 3 episodes. Cringe, pathetic and a horrible attempt at a documentary. Not to mention, pretty damn biased as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary. I personally would have liked to have seen more legendary cricketers featured but I think they did pretty well to get some great cricketers on both sides to share their stories. It can be unrealistic to get every single cricketing great to give their piece my dear viewers. It really is the greatest rivalry in sport and it was great to watch. I liked the historic footage and also showing older matches. Shoaib was a treat to watch and get his views on the rivalry. I was engrossed from episode 1 and couldn't put it down. Really well made, interesting, and shows how much great talent exists for both sides and both want to rebuild a stronger relationship to make way for this great sport to be played more often.

I was so excited to watch this but truely a dissapointed documentary. I felt as if only sehwag and shoaib akhtar led all India pakistan matches. Clearly missed out on some real good matches. Where was sachin, Kumble, V prasad, Amir sohail, afridi, saeed anwar... those were true legends of those era... A big big opportunity lost...on what could have been a series that could have brought our childhood memories back but i felt it didnt showcase relevant matches. Wish someone else would have directed this with some better juiciness that used to exist during the india pakistan matches. Was good in bits and pieces.

Many players are even shown very less or totally ignored. World Cup winners like Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Kohli are totally ignored. Even legends like Sachin, Yuvi, Harbhajan, Zaheer khan, Ajit Agarkar, Azhruddin, Gautam Gambhir, Navjot Sidhu, Ajay Jadeja, Vengasarkar, Surya K Yadav and apne Ravi Shastri ji . And many more from even Pak too.

Big names like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma were totally missed. That what I call a incomplete picture. If you can consider R. Ashwin and Dhawan then why not these legends.

Kumble tool most wickets against Pak followed by J srinath. Players like Shoaib Malik and Suresh Raina are also not mentioned.

The India-Pakistan rivalry goes far beyond just cricket, and this series fails to do justice to this cricket rivalry. It feels biased and highly incomplete, especially for those who lived through that era and watched every game. Key figures from both sides are barely highlighted, while Sehwag and Shoaib, who were more like supporting players in this rivalry rather than game-changers, are given undue focus. The absence of historic moments and true match-winners makes it feel shallow. This series is a disappointment and an insult to the true essence of this historic rivalry, failing to capture its intensity, unpredictability, and deep-rooted passion.

Giving it 1/10 instead of 4/10.

After watching first episode for only 5 Min of run time.

Just imagine how disappointed am I.

India loves cricket. At least more than 1 billion people love this sport. And they play it at highly competetive level.

But guess what Netflix has showed me?

1. Sehwag saying "it's been ages when we played on each other's soil"

have you forgotten how Pakistani has treated Indian players? Stoned, punched, abused and at last deplomatic reasons.

But no, as per Netflix, we didn't play in Pak because we just didn't want to do it.

2. Multiple shot showing how India loves cricket.

And what did they show? Slums, narrow streets, dirty carts and markets.. where poor children are playing cricket.

Here's a fun fact, no one playes for India without a joining Cricket Institute. Becuase only there you play with Cookabora ball. And everywhere you play with any random ball mostly Tenis ball.

So, I don't understand what is the significance of adding these irrelevent shots in it.

Instead of these.. they could have showed how millions of cricket institute adds players day and night. Or maybe how BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world.

Or how Rich actually India is. A simple kit bag cost upto $500 in india.

But no. They will show what propaganda they wants to show.

Arguably, the greatest sporting rivalry on planet and yet it's a story of a batter from India and a bowler from Pakistan. Netflix created so much hype for this season and with hundred of millions of fans from both side of the border; such a showcase has been an utter disappointment. It does not capture the glory, excitement, palpitation of over a billion people. A single Ind Pak match create a pin drop silence on the busy roads of mega cities like Karachi, Mumbai, Lahore and Delhi. The game isn't just a game, it units all friends and family to watch it on big screen and share the excitement. Where is Tendulkar, Akram, Dhoni, Misbah, Aamir? Truly a huge disappointment.

Only time India and Pakistan played each other in a world cup final match was the T20 world cup in 2007. But that has been given a total miss... it's just pure nonsense and highest level of stupidity to not show that... and its obviously because of someone's personal disliking for one of the India's greatest all time captain - Mahendra Singh Dhoni ... BCCI has always tried to downplay the contributions of this great leader Indian cricket had ever produced. This is happening even so more now. This Netflix produced series could have been much better but it fails to live Up to expectations. .....

Thoroughly disappointed watching the show after being excited for more than a month. They should rename it to either "Sehwag vs. Shoaib" or "Pakistan Tourism". The makers had hours of game content plus could've added how players felt during some key and inconic moments, yet the focus was just on the 2004 series over 3 episodes as if nothing significant has happened before or after. All I can say is they have screwed up the opportunity of creating a sensational show, or maybe the intention always was to advertise and normalise the idea of touring Pakistan for Indian cricket fans. To simply conclude, it is completely alright to skip this show and watch any random cricket podcast on YouTube - might easily give a lot more insights than this so-called documentary did.

The documentaries are always regarded an important source of information for obvious reasons. The art of blending fact and fiction is never easy to get accustomed both who narrates and those who watch. Naturally, the craftsmanship is of higher octave in such creativity. Considering all these, this Documentary bears great significance. Nobody can ignore that the rivalry between India and Pakistan on the Cricket pitch impacts not only the Cricket lovers of the subcontinent but the entire world.

The present Documentary narrates stories both on the field and of the field of the Cricket stalwarts of the Nations. But it has certain drawbacks. The Documentary mainly narrates what crickers and commentators say. But important point is certainly what people say. Similarly, the span of time included here shows there are missing dots. It should have included the stories of the past better since 1947. Otherwise one can watch.

First, congratulations on a well-crafted documentary. You have done a commendable job in bringing the excitement of India-Pakistan cricket to the screen. However, after watching it, I strongly feel that a ten-episode web series would have been the perfect way to do justice to this historic rivalry.

While the documentary focused heavily on the Shoaib Akhtar and Virender Sehwag rivalry, the true essence of Indo-Pak cricket goes far beyond just one battle. There are many rivalries that defined generations, and unfortunately, you have only scratched the surface by covering just 10% of what truly makes this rivalry legendary.

The Rivalries That Defined Eras 1. Imran Khan vs. Kapil Dev - The Clash of Titans The battle of two all-rounder captains who led their teams to World Cup glory was more than just a competition - it was a matter of pride. Imran Khan, the charismatic leader, and Kapil Dev, the fearless warrior, played a crucial role in shaping cricket in their respective countries. Their battles in the 1980s and early 1990s were filled with high-intensity moments, leadership challenges, and outstanding performances.

2. Sachin Tendulkar vs. Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar - The Master vs. The Pace Trio While you touched upon Shoaib Akhtar and Sehwag, the real battle was always between Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistan's deadly pace attack.

Wasim Akram - The magician with the ball, capable of swinging it both ways.

Waqar Younis - The toe-crushing yorker specialist.

Shoaib Akhtar - The fastest bowler in the world, aiming to dismantle the Master Blaster.

From the 1992 World Cup to the unforgettable six off Shoaib Akhtar in 2003, this rivalry was pure gold. Every encounter was a test of skill, patience, and resilience.

3. Shahid Afridi vs. Harbhajan Singh - Fire vs. Fire This wasn't just a cricket rivalry - it was personal! Whether it was Afridi smashing Bhajji for sixes or Harbhajan giving it back with his aggressive off-spin, the verbal exchanges, heated moments, and aggressive celebrations made their encounters a treat to watch.

One of the most intense moments came in the 2010 Asia Cup when Harbhajan smashed a six off Shoaib Akhtar and exchanged fiery words with Afridi, showing that Indo-Pak cricket is never short on passion.

4. Virat Kohli vs. Mohammad Amir - The Modern-Day Duel If the older generation had Tendulkar vs. Akram, this generation had Kohli vs. Amir.

Kohli - The modern great with an insatiable hunger for runs.

Amir - The left-arm sensation with deadly swing and precision.

Who can forget the 2016 Asia Cup when Amir rattled the Indian top order, only for Kohli to play one of his best knocks under pressure? Every time they faced off, it felt like a battle within a battle.

The Missing Emotions & Stories While the documentary was engaging, it lacked the in-depth storytelling that a full-fledged web series could have provided. You could have included:

Behind-the-scenes stories of sledging, mind games, and dressing-room reactions.

Interviews with the players about what they actually felt during these intense moments.

Emotional moments of victory, heartbreak, and unforgettable matches.

A 10-Episode Web Series - The Ideal Format To truly capture the Indo-Pak cricketing legacy, a 10-episode web series would be perfect, covering:

The Early Days - The 1950s-70s Rivalry Imran vs. Kapil - The All-Rounder War The 1992 World Cup & Pakistan's Rise The Tendulkar Era - Facing Wasim, Waqar & Shoaib The 1999 Chennai Test - Sportsmanship at Its Best The 2003 World Cup - Sachin's Greatest Knock Afridi vs. Harbhajan - The Feisty Battles The T20 Era - Dhoni's India vs. Afridi's Pakistan Kohli vs. Amir - The Modern Showdown The Future - Where Does This Rivalry Go?

Now, We Wait for February 23, 2025 With just days to go for the next India vs. Pakistan clash, the excitement is at its peak. The roar of the crowd, the high stakes, and the unmatched intensity make this the biggest rivalry in cricket.

India... India... India!

Let's hope we get the ultimate web series this legendary rivalry truly deserves!

The Netflix series India vs Pakistan: The Greatest Rivalry was expected to be a gripping documentary covering the historic and fierce cricketing battles between the two nations. However, it largely focuses on the 2004 series, giving excessive importance to Virender Sehwag's performance while sidelining many other significant moments and legendary players who shaped this rivalry. The storytelling feels incomplete, and for true cricket enthusiasts, it leaves much to be desired.

Lack of a Comprehensive Timeline

One of the biggest disappointments of the series is its narrow focus. While the India-Pakistan rivalry spans several decades, with numerous iconic matches played in different formats, the series chooses to highlight just one era-the 2004 series. That tour was undoubtedly special, as it marked India's historic win in Pakistan under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly. Sehwag's triple century in Multan was a major milestone, but cricket history is much more than a single player's heroics in one series.

A well-rounded documentary should have covered the intense battles in Sharjah during the 1980s and 1990s, the high-voltage World Cup encounters, and the unforgettable Test matches of the past. The infamous Javed Miandad last-ball six in 1986, Sachin Tendulkar's Desert Storm innings in Sharjah (1998), Anil Kumble's 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in 1999, and the tense 2003 World Cup match where Tendulkar dominated Shoaib Akhtar-all of these were defining moments in cricket history. However, they are completely ignored in this series.

No Focus on the Legends

The absence of key Indian and Pakistani cricketing icons from the narrative is another major letdown. The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry isn't just about one or two individuals; it's about generations of players who contributed to its legacy. While the series showers attention on Sehwag, it barely mentions legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Anil Kumble. These players played crucial roles in shaping India's success against Pakistan over the years. Similarly, Pakistani greats such as Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, and Inzamam-ul-Haq don't get the recognition they deserve.

If the documentary aimed to truly capture the essence of this rivalry, it should have featured interviews with these cricketers, sharing their personal experiences and behind-the-scenes stories. Instead, what we get is a shallow attempt to glorify just one series.

Ignoring the High-Stakes World Cup Matches

India and Pakistan have faced off in multiple World Cups, and each match carried immense pressure due to the political and emotional stakes involved. The 1996 quarter-final in Bangalore, where Ajay Jadeja took on Waqar Younis, the 2003 encounter where Tendulkar's masterclass led India to victory, and the 2011 semi-final in Mohali, which was more than just a game-these were moments that defined this legendary rivalry. Yet, Netflix's documentary fails to even touch upon these historic matches, making it feel like an incomplete retelling of history.

The Sharjah Matches - A Glaring Omission

One of the most thrilling chapters in India-Pakistan cricket history unfolded in Sharjah. During the 1980s and 1990s, the desert venue witnessed some of the most dramatic and controversial encounters between the two teams. Pakistan often dominated India at this venue, thanks to the brilliance of Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, and Saqlain Mushtaq. The Sharjah games were marked by last-over finishes, mind games, and some of the most passionate cricket ever played. Yet, this documentary completely ignores those encounters, robbing viewers of the chance to relive an era that defined Indo-Pak cricketing clashes.

Lack of Balance and Depth

A great sports documentary should provide deep insights, perspectives from both sides, and a balanced view of history. Unfortunately, India vs Pakistan: The Greatest Rivalry feels one-sided, focusing more on individual heroics rather than the spirit of competition. It lacks the emotional weight and archival footage that could have transported fans back to those unforgettable moments.

Moreover, there is little mention of the social and political impact these matches had. Cricket between India and Pakistan has always been more than just a game-it carries diplomatic undertones, fan expectations, and a history of interrupted tours due to political tensions. The series fails to capture these elements, making it feel like a half-baked effort rather than a deep dive into one of the greatest sporting rivalries in the world.

Final Verdict - Skip It

For those hoping to relive the full spectrum of India-Pakistan cricket history, this series will be a disappointment. It barely scratches the surface of a rivalry that has given us countless memorable moments over the years. Instead of presenting a well-researched, balanced, and nostalgic documentary, Netflix delivers an incomplete story that feels more like a tribute to Sehwag than an actual documentary on Indo-Pak cricket.

If you are a true cricket fan looking for an in-depth retelling of this rivalry, you're better off revisiting old match footage on YouTube. This Netflix series is a missed opportunity, and unless you're only interested in the 2004 series, it's not worth your time.

The first 10 mins shows the rivalry, rest of the series is just story telling. There were so many moments missed from India's side. It felt like just coz more of Pakistani cricketers are available for the interview, more of their story was shared. Naaa it dint give the rivalry feel, just slow story telling. Dint enjoy much. I would rather watch rivalry videos on YouTube. Rivalry videos is what brings the excitment in the video. There are so many heated moments which would have been fun to watch. Disappointed with Netflix, this one could have been better. Even the sound effect could have been better u felt.