One of cricket’s greatest rivalries is coming to Netflix, with the always entertaining matchup of India and Pakistan to be shown through a docu-series on the streaming service in 2024.
Given the appropriate title of ‘The Greatest Rivalry’, the upcoming docu-series is expected to delve into the rich history of both nation’s obsession with cricket, and how it has led them to form a rivalry so fierce that the two sides no longer play each other in series of any formats.
When there’s a rivalry as fierce and respected as the one between the two subcontinent cricket powerhouses, why wouldn’t it be made into documentary format? Netflix, who has an incredible track record of producing great sports doccos, has decided to branch into the realm of cricket and cover one of the sport’s greatest, and darkest, rivalries.
The upcoming docu-series is set to also showcase the relationship between India and Pakistan off the field; their historical, geographical and political backstory behind the ever-continuing feud.
‘Lights, camera, and CLEAN BOWLED!!’ is how Netflix is promoting the series that all cricket fans will be waiting anxiously to watch, as it’s not every day the sport gets a big docu-series like this.
Everything you need to know about Netflix documentary, ‘The Greatest Rivalry’
When does the India-Pakistan cricket documentary come out?
2024
Netflix India announced in late-February the shows and series that were coming to the giant streaming platform in 2024, with ‘The Greatest Rivalry: India v Pakistan’ included, alongside a trailer for the docu-series.
No official information has been released as of early-May for the exact release date or whether the series’ episodes will be available in increments, but we know for sure that the docco will be out this year.
Is there a trailer for the docu-series?
Yes there is! There are rumours another one will be released before the actual docu-series comes out, but for now this is enough for many cricket tragics.
What is it all about?
The Netflix docu-series will show the deep cricketing history between India and Pakistan both on the field and off it, and how it’s led to it being one of most revered rivalries in world sport.
The two bordering nations have a cricketing history against one another dating back to 1952 in Test matches; playing against each other in some of the most rememberable games of all-time — the 2022 T20 World Cup match at the MCG in front 90,000+ spectators.
It’s always a treat for the sport’s fans to witness the two battle in any format, but unfortunately it’s one we don’t see all that often due to political tensions between the nations and the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which put a complete stop to the sides playing one another in bilateral series of any kind.
Through a glimpse of the first trailer for the ‘The Greatest Rivalry’, there is a part where a red line is drawn, dividing the two countries and alluding to bitter diplomatic relationships and conflict originating from the Partition of British India in 1947. This will definitely be discussed in The Greatest Rivalry, as it is the foundation of the two sides’ rift.
There are shots of both teams lifting silverware in the trailer as they are both well documented cricketing powerhouses at one time or another. India holds two Cricket World Cups, a T20 World Cup, and two champions trophies, while Pakistan has one of each.
Since 2012-13, bilateral series (one nation against another in a Test, One Day, or T20 format series) haven’t happened between India and Pakistan, so the only times we’ve seen these sides play one another has been at ICC tournaments, making them the biggest games every time they meet.
In 2024, the rivalry will be renewed in the United States for the T20 World Cup, as the two teams are in the same group and are set to play at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. That’s set to be every bit as spicy as this upcoming docco.
