When Pakistan and India’s cricket teams take to the grounds for a match, the world fires up—online, at home and, of course, in the stands. With every launch of the ball and smash with the bat, the sea of spectators draped in their national colours are enthralled. The passion of the fans is remarkable and poignant—and so is the sporting nationalism that emerges whenever these two nations face off. 

And there’s a specific reason for this. The August 1947 Partition of British India left a legacy of pain and brutal separation between the two countries that lasts until present day, but also arguably created one of the most intense rivalries in sport. The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan, a new Netflix documentary released on February 7, explores the intricate connection between the sport and the country’s politics, delving into the backstories of players and polarizing issues within cricket that surround this spectacular and ongoing duel. 

Before you sit down to enjoy this latest release, it’s helpful to have the full context behind just who is taking the pitch—and the reason why. Below, everything you need to know about the rivalry between India and Pakistan. 

How did cricket get started in South Asia? 

Cricket is played by more than 1.5 million people in the world and predominantly in the South Asian region. The sport was brought to the region during colonial rule, and the first cricket club was established in India in 1792. (Cricket was also introduced to the U.S. in the 18th Century, but due to anti-British sentiment, the sport didn’t take off). Meanwhile in India, cricket flourished. 

This was for a few reasons, including that the weather was conducive to long matches and cricket was used as a means of instilling propriety in play and influencing what was considered a “civilised” game. But because cricket can be played with little equipment other than a ball, a bat and a wicket, it spread through the masses like wildfire. While a proper cricket ground is quite large, modified versions can be played in smaller parks, or even in laneways. It is not uncommon to see young boys playing cricket in streets in many places in the subcontinent just like kids often play street hockey in Canada. There is a palpable love of the game, which has been embraced in the cultures of South Asia. 

“Both [Pakistan and India] are one-sport nations, where cricket is that one sport,” 

says Osman Samiuddin, a London-based senior editor with ESPN Cricinfo whose expertise was featured in the documentary. “Because it was a sport brought in by the British, it was initially seen as a way of getting their own back on the former colonizer; so, beating England for both countries was a massive thing. But over the years, and given the success both countries have had in the sport, it has become a marker of national identity.”

So, what exactly does this have to do with politics?

Which is why the sport has also transcended into the respective countries’ politics. Sport has always been used as a tool for diplomacy. In 1995, Nelson Mandela famously used the game of rugby to unite the country after his election, when Mandela decided to have the country host the Rugby World Cup and rallied the nation around its team — bringing people together in a way not seen before. And this is no different in cricket. The Greatest Rivalry explains that cricket was used to “promote goodwill” between the two young nations of India and Pakistan. In fact, it acted as a bridge of sorts, specifically permitting the travel of supporters and lovers of the sport from India to Pakistan. (At the time, it was uncommon for residents of Pakistan and India to travel to each others’ nation. In fact, there are still no direct flights between the two countries). 

After a 1999 conflict in Kargil, in the disputed area along the Pakistani and Indian-administered regions of Kashmir, it seemed as if the relationship between the countries would continue to be tenuous and unforgiving. But the tour that brought the Indian team to Pakistan was hugely successful and was seen as an exchange on a cultural and economic level. Thousands of fans and many members of the media crossed the borders on special “cricket visas” in order to witness the matches that were played in Karachi, Lahore and, finally, in Multan. 

Are there any positives to the relationship between India and Pakistan?

Despite a backdrop of political animus, there is a spark of goodness that shines from the story. Like the little known camaraderie between players from both sides. Samiuddin notes that this is not mentioned or highlighted enough in overall coverage of the sport. 

“A number of great cricketers from both countries have forged lasting friendships that have sustained whatever the political temperature is between the two,” Samiuddin says. “I’ve spent time during this series interviewing players where arch on-field rivals have strolled into the hotel room and eaten together, watched films together or just hung out, oblivious to the fact that they are Pakistani/Indian.”

Where does the rivalry between India and Pakistan stand now?

Since 2009, following the horrific Mumbai attacks, Pakistani players have been banned from playing in the Indian Premier League. But as the sport grows with the diasporas in North America and Europe, it could change the trajectory of Pakistani and Indian relationships by blossoming in a least-toxic form. Samidduin believes that playing together for the national sides or at a grassroots level can create a new narrative. “Of course, there are pockets where there have been issues (for example, the 2022 riots in Leicester sparked by an India-Pakistan game),” he says, “but broadly speaking, it has been pretty healthy and free from rancour.”

As cricket grows increasingly popular, it’s fascinating to see history being chronicled knowing that immigration and growth of sport may change once-held attitudes of neighbours, friends and political enemies. Ultimately, a game where 22 people play and billions cheer will have a lasting impact around the world.