Cricket’s fiercest clashes: Iconic rivalries that shaped the game
Cricket is among the world’s most popular sports, highlighting the tough battles of skill, pride, and history that unite millions of fans worldwide. Every match carries the weight of past victories and bittersweet defeats, which shows that the game is more than just runs and batting.
Some of the most thrilling moments in cricket come from rivalries—clashes that go beyond the field. Fans, media, and even former players carry the rivalry forward, adding to the sport’s legacy. Find out some of cricket’s biggest rivalries, historic battles, and moments that continue to shape the game.
India vs Pakistan: The ultimate clash
Only a few cricket rivalries could be as intense as India vs Pakistan. This clash goes beyond the game, rooted in the political tensions and historical events dating back to the 1947 partition of British India.
Due to political issues, bilateral series between India and Pakistan are rare. Most of their meetings take place in ICC tournaments, with their most recent face-off on February 23, 2025, during the ICC Champions Trophy group stage.
Iconic matches
- 2007 T20 World Cup Final
India and Pakistan clashed in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup final, where the former clinched the first-ever T20 World Cup title. Pakistan fell short by just five runs, with Misbah-ul-Haq infamously attempting a scoop shot but was dismissed.
- 2021 T20 World Cup
In a historic match at Dubai International Stadium, Pakistan secured its first-ever World Cup win against India. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan quickly chased the target at 152/0, leading the team to a 10-wicket win against the Kohli-led Indian team. Pakistan secured its first-ever win against their fierce rivals, effectively knocking them out of the T20 World Cup.
Australia vs England: The Ashes
The Ashes is one of the oldest rivalries in cricket, dating back to 1882 when Australia stunned England at the Kennington Oval in London.
The Sporting Times, then, published a mock obituary mourning the ‘death’ of English cricket with a note: ‘...The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia’. Since then, the two teams battled in a five-Test series every two years to continue the tradition.
Remarkable Ashes moments
- The Ball of the Century (1993)
In the first Test of the Ashes series at Old Trafford, an inexperienced Shane Warne bowled a legendary delivery. His sharp leg break to Mike Gatting spun wildly and clipped off the stump. Gatting was stunned, and the crowd was in disbelief at Warne’s unforeseen skill.
- The Bodyline Series (1932-33)
The 1932-33 Ashes series is known for England’s tough ‘bodyline’ tactics against Australia’s star batter, Don Bradman. Harold Larwood led England’s bowlers, targeting batters with fast, short-pitched balls, causing many injuries. England still won the five-Test series 4-1, but the tactic sparked conflicts and led to rule changes in cricket.
Australia vs New Zealand: Trans-Tasman Tussle
The Australia vs New Zealand clash is fierce across many sports, but in cricket, it’s grown into one intense sibling battle. The two teams first played in 1878, but official Test matches between them began in 1945-46. While Australia governed the early years, New Zealand became a strong force that made their ODI and T20 clashes even fiercer.
Legendary Trans-Tasman clashes
- 2003 Cricket World Cup: The Showdown
During the Super Sixes stage, NZ’s Shane Bond and AUS’s Brett Lee showcased top-tier fast bowling. Bond toppled 6 wickets for 23 with AUS reeling at 84 for 7. However, a 97-run stand from Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel guided the team to their match win, posting a total of 208/9.
- 2015 Cricket World Cup final: The Left-Arm Pacer
Australia and New Zealand met in the 2015 Cricket World Cup final in Melbourne. Pacer Mitchell Starc dismissed NZ captain Brendon McCullum for a duck in the first over. New Zealand managed 183, with Grant Elliott scoring 83, as Australia chased the target in 33.1 overs, which led them to a seven-wicket win.
Clashes that define icons
Cricket’s greatest rivalries are built on history and passion, where each match fuels the fire among teams and fans. As the sport evolves, these fiery battles will continue to shape cricket’s rich legacy.
