This is being written before the India v Pakistan clash in Sri Lanka. As usual, it’s been hyped up as the best rivalry in the world in cricket. It certainly gets even the non-cricket followers in both countries also interested even if it’s just for the day, because of the history between the two countries but also the political mileage that can be derived out of it. The players over the years know that they will be made tools by those in both countries who really have no interest in the game but to promote their own agenda.

Ashes, a huge hit

The second biggest and the oldest rivalry in cricket is between England and Australia which is for the Ashes. The Ashes series that concluded recently was a huge hit with record crowds coming every day and seeing some really riveting cricket. The Aussies were no doubt surprised by the aggression that the English batters showed and so they resorted to short-pitched bowling which after some time becomes predictable and makes the game boring.