New Delhi: As the highly anticipated showdown between India and Pakistan at the 2025 Champions Trophy approaches, social media is, obviously, abuzz with excitement.
The two teams seldom meet these days, but whenever they do, it is considered one of the fiercest clashes in international cricket. Due to political tensions, India did not travel to Pakistan, which is co-hosting the tournament. All their matches are being played in Dubai.
Ahead of the match, fans are sharing a flurry of memes to express their enthusiasm for this mega event.
India welcoming host country in Dubai#INDvsPAK | #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/HW51SNZbLh
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) February 23, 2025
View this post on Instagram
Scene before pakistan team travelling to dubai #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/XsTiRv1PXk
— memes_hallabol (@memes_hallabol) February 23, 2025
#INDvsPAK
The Real king Jay bhai shah 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/YUwJx6JXSI
— PULKIT KANSAL (@PulkitK107) February 23, 2025
BCCI ki Power Aur Jio Ka Tower 😹#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/fnl5qIAogJ
— Byomkesh (@byomkesbakshy) February 23, 2025
The ritual of revisiting the iconic ‘mauka mauka’ ad continued this time as well. This is a 2015 advertisement created by Star Sports India to promote its broadcast of the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Notably, the commercial for the India vs Pakistan match had earned tremendous popularity.
“It’s been 10 years since this masterpiece dropped for India vs Pakistan. Peak nostalgia unlocked. Do you remember this ad?,” an X user posted.
It’s been 10 years since this masterpiece dropped for India vs Pakistan! Peak Nostalgia unlocked.
Do you remember this ad ? 😭❤️#INDvsPAK | #ChampionsTrophy | #ChampionsTrophy2025 | #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/6odGC1AYDS
— Yash Tiwari (@DrYashTiwari) February 22, 2025
Cricketers and cricket fans are often found debating which rivalry is the fiercest — Ashes or India-Pakistan?
According to Indian fans, India vs Pakistan is the “greatest one-sided rivalry”.
Greatest One Sided Rivalry 🗿🔥#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/b4Y8iaCL9v
— Aryannn🪐 (@relatablehuyrrr) February 22, 2025
An X user turned to popular scenes from Bollywood films like Sultan and Chandni Chowk to China to describe the dressing room scenes of both teams.
Scenes before INDIA vs PAKISTAN.#IndvsPak | #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/7NiJXRBfB6
— Rajabets 🇮🇳👑 (@rajabetsindia) February 22, 2025
Meanwhile, ‘hawans’ for team India’s victory have already begun.
#WATCH | Bihar: Cricket fans in Patna perform ‘hawan’ for Team India’s victory as they face Pakistan today in the #ICCChampionsTrophy. #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/1WY17qk6MU
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2025
Cricket fans performed a havan at a temple in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday, praying for Team India’s victory in their clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.#INDvsPAK #ICCChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/GsMjemxJXK
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) February 23, 2025
A ‘Vijay Yagya’ was performed at a temple in Varanasi Sunday morning.
A ‘Vijay Yagya’ was performed at a temple in Varanasi on Sunday morning ahead of the Champions Trophy.
A group of cricket fans organized the hawan for Team India’s victory against Pakistan.#INDvsPAK #ICCChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/1bBmFc9LyH
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) February 23, 2025
Pictures of skipper Rohit Sharma with evil eye, ‘nimbu-mirchi’ and ‘kala tika’ have gone viral on X.
Day for #INDvsPAK 🧿☝️ pic.twitter.com/fvxzw9dWMv
— k ♡ (@sarphiribalika_) February 23, 2025
Team India kick-started their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Pakistan were handed a 60-run defeat by New Zealand in the tournament opener in Karachi.
Pakistan, the defending champions, defeated India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. Mohammad Rizwan’s company will be aiming to repeat history and keep themselves alive in the tournament, while India will want to book a berth in the semi-final with a victory.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
Indian fans must boycott the match. That’s the only way ICC will learn not to club India and Pakistan together in one group.
ICC knows well enough that India does not wish to play Pakistan as a mark of protest against state sponsored terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Yet, it slyly groups us together for tournaments.
This has to stop. Indian cricket fans must realise the nation and it’s security is way more important than playing against Pakistan.
Indian fans must boycott India-Pakistan fixtures in UCC tournaments.