Old charm missing in India vs Pakistan sporting contests

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What is an India-Pakistan contest minus tension a skirmish or two? At the Asian Champions Trophy league match played at the Moqi training centre in China on Saturday, the Paris 2024 Olympics bronze medallist edged past the traditional rivals 2-1.

Given the lofty standards which India enjoys today in Asian hockey, this match-up was expected to produce sparks. That Harmanpreet Singh, who pumped in two goals, was involved in a clash with a bunch of Pakistani players was typical of the mood when the two nations compete in any field of play.

For old-timers, India versus Pakistan has meant high emotions, notably in cricket. Just that the way India have been defeating the rivals from across the border with sheer impunity has made these contests now a no-contest. The same happened when India took on Pakistan in New York in an ICC T20 World Cup match this June. Ticket prices cost a bomb but the hype was not worth it and India won.

If one recalls an India versus Pakistan epic contest, Virat Kohli smashing one of the most defining sixes off Harris Rauf at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) in 2022, was mind-blowing. The way Kohli executed that shot was watched repeatedly and just a few months back, the ICC declared it as one of the best-ever sixes executed.

Such was the aura of that one massive six, even cricket fans from Pakistan fell in love with King Kohli. Sadly, they crave to see India play Pakistan in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy next year. Given the political situation at present, that will not happen in 2025.

Back to hockey, specifically, India and Pakistan were both strong teams in world hockey and the Asian flavour was enjoyed by one and all. Sadly, the decline of hockey in Pakistan began more than a decade ago and it has not been arrested. Unlike Indian hockey, there are no sponsors for their team and they also do not get the same facilities like the Indian hockey team does. If that is a yardstick, then India winning by a narrow margin on Saturday -- 2-1 - suggests Pakistan were not exactly thrown under the bus.

A bit on what made the India versus Pakistan contests so emotional and adrenaline-felted. It is well known, these two nations have seen great moments in sports, notably cricket, hockey and also track and field. Neeraj Chopra versus Arshad Nadeem at the Paris 2024 Olympics was also high voltage, though the strong man from across the border showcased his explosive energy with two throws in the 90-metre plus range. There was no rancour and both Neeraj and Nadeem said they are friends.

It is good that India versus Pakistan clashes in the sporting arena these days are not filled with abuse and vitriol. Yes, in cricket, India defeating them repeatedly has ensured Pakistan need to keep tempers in check. Compare it with the time when Javed Miandad smashed Chetan Sharma for a massive six in Sharjah, which led to pandemonium.

Indeed, sporting rivalries are necessary between two nations. In cricket, England versus Australia is bitter, and so is Australia versus New Zealand. With India set to tour Australia at the end of the year, the hype has already begun. In fact, one can see one TV Ravi Shastri talking about the magic which was produced in the 2021 series, where India triumphed with Ajinkya Rahane as stand-in captain.

Back to India versus Pakistan, there will be a lot of heated moments on the field. Yet, for those who have watched the two nations battle it out far too often now, the old charm is vanishing. Is it an overdose or are India far superior in cricket and hockey is something which fans know the best.