India Pakistan rivalry will soon be history like cricket's oldest rivalry.

The followers of cricket in the 70s started the decade with an embargo on cricketing ties with Pakistan.In the interim Pakistan were doing well and playing reasonably well overseas.Indians were excited when cricketing ties were restored.Even then, England and Australian cricketers did not consider India at par and Indian fans were reasonably pleased with series where treatment was at par.Economy in Pakistan was ok and Indians still were pleased to wait 10 years for a scooter.Things changed more after 1991(PVN) and 1996(JMD).Now Pakistan is passed.Australia and India are new marquee teams with significant economy and cricket following which is wide enough to support a competitive bilateral series.Mainly the media tries to revive India Pakistan rivalry but it is even less talked about by young person's as Liverpool vs Tootenham Hotspur.Media Moghuls may like to smell their coffee and not flog a dying horse.

Cricket's oldest rivalry is not Australia vs England but Canada vs USA. However not only is this rivalry dead but cricket has lost any serious importance in North America.So please resist temptation  to think India vs Pakistan is anything special.Every World Cup game is special.Cricket can be uncertain. India does poorly in bilateral series because of various reasons including ennui vs hype in opposition.