Cricket rivalries are the heartbeat of the sport, and 2025 delivered electrifying clashes, none more intense than India vs. Pakistan in the Asia Cup. With the India-England Test series tied at 2-2 and Australia-West Indies reigniting old battles, the year was packed with drama. The India-Pakistan T20 clash on September 14, 2025, in Multan, fueled by Virat Kohli’s chase mastery and Babar Azam’s elegance, set social media ablaze with #INDvPAK trending globally. In this article, we dive into the top cricket rivalries of 2025, their key moments, and what’s next. Let’s explore the passion and intensity of cricket’s biggest battles!

India vs. Pakistan: The Ultimate Showdown

The India-Pakistan rivalry, cricket’s fiercest, peaked during the Asia Cup 2025 T20 match on September 14 in Multan. India’s 7-wicket win, chasing 180, was powered by Shubman Gill’s 75 off 45 and Virat Kohli’s 60* off 32, outshining Babar Azam’s 80. Jasprit Bumrah’s 3/25, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan, sealed the victory. The match drew 20 million viewers on Disney+ Hotstar, with #INDvPAK trending on X, hitting 5 million mentions. A clip of Kohli’s match-winning six off Shaheen Afridi went viral, garnering 4 million views. Gautam Gambhir’s post-match comment, “We play to win, not just compete,” sparked 2 million likes.

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Other Key Rivalries in 2025

1. India vs. England (Test Series)
   The 2-2 tied Test series showcased Bazball’s aggression against India’s resilience. Joe Root’s 140 in Manchester met Shubman Gill’s century, while Jasprit Bumrah’s 5/45 in Birmingham countered Ben Stokes’ 5/72. The Oval Test (August 1–5, 2025) is the decider, with #INDvENG trending on X, hitting 3 million mentions.
2. Australia vs. West Indies (Test Series)
   West Indies’ 2-0 upset in January 2025, led by Shamar Joseph’s 7/68, revived this historic rivalry. Australia’s batting collapse (189 in Adelaide) sparked #AussieSlump, while Kraigg Brathwaite’s 140 trended as #WIRising.
3. Australia vs. South Africa (Upcoming Tests)
   Set for December 2025, this WTC clash pits Pat Cummins against Kagiso Rabada. South Africa’s 1-0 win over New Zealand in 2025 makes them favorites, with #AUSvSA gaining traction on X.
4. New Zealand vs. England (T20Is)
   New Zealand’s 3-2 T20I series win in 2025, driven by Kane Williamson’s 90 off 50, outshone Jos Buttler’s England. A viral clip of Williamson’s six hit 2 million views, with #NZvENG trending.

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Why These Rivalries Matter

• Global Appeal: India-Pakistan matches draw 500 million+ global viewers, per ICC reports, boosting cricket’s reach. The Multan clash alone generated $50 million in ad revenue.
• Player Rivalries: Kohli vs. Babar and Bumrah vs. Root fueled debates, with 60% of X poll voters favoring Kohli as the better batter. #KohliVsBabar hit 2 million mentions.
• Fan Passion: X posts like “India-Pakistan is cricket’s Super Bowl!” went viral, while England’s Bazball sparked #BazballVsIndia debates, hitting 1.5 million views.
• Historical Context: Australia-West Indies revived 1980s nostalgia, with Joseph compared to Malcolm Marshall, trending as #NewWIStar.

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Key Moments of 2025 Rivalries

• Kohli’s Multan Masterclass: His 60* off 32, including a six off Afridi, clinched India’s Asia Cup win, with 4 million Instagram likes on his celebration post.
• Shamar Joseph’s Brisbane Heroics: His 7/68 against Australia, dismissing Cummins and Smith, was the upset of 2025, trending as #ShamarTheStar.
• Gill vs. Root in Manchester: Gill’s 228-ball century countered Root’s 140, saving India’s draw, with #GillTheWall trending on X.
• Williamson’s T20 Brilliance: His 90 off 50 against England showcased New Zealand’s edge, with 2 million YouTube views.

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Challenges and Controversies

• Scheduling Pressures: India-Pakistan’s one-off Asia Cup clash disappointed fans, with 70% in an X poll demanding more matches. #MoreINDvPAK trended.
• Umpiring Disputes: The India-England series saw DRS controversies, with a Root LBW call in Birmingham sparking #DRSDebate on X, hitting 1 million mentions.
• Player Workloads: Stokes’ cramps and Bumrah’s injury concerns raised questions, with fans on X debating workload management for rivalries.

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Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz

Rivalries dominated X in 2025, with #INDvPAK hitting 5 million mentions during the Asia Cup. A clip of Kohli’s six off Afridi garnered 4 million views, while fans posted, “Nothing beats India-Pakistan!” The India-England draw sparked #BazballVsIndia debates, with 3 million mentions. West Indies’ Australia upset fueled #WIRising, with Joseph’s Instagram post gaining 1 million likes from his 2 million followers. A poll showed 80% of fans rate India-Pakistan as cricket’s top rivalry.