 "Hardik Singh mocks Haris Rauf's gesture as he claims there is no rivalry with Pakistan. Image: Reuters/AFP")
Indian hockey star Hardik Singh has stirred a fresh debate around the India-Pakistan rivalry. Speaking at the India Today Conclave, the midfielder mocked Haris Rauf’s fighter jet celebration , a gesture the Pakistan cricketer had used during their 2025 Asia Cup match against India when he was being teased by fans on the boundary.
Hardik mocks Haris Rauf
Hardik used the same gesture to say that Pakistan hockey is no longer in the same league as India. India’s dominance over Pakistan in hockey has been clear for years now. The Men in Blue are unbeaten in the last ten games against their neighbours, with eight wins and two draws. Pakistan last defeated India way back in 2014 in the Champions Trophy.
“I think that right now there is no competition, so there is no point talking about it, there is no doubt in the widening gap. Because the way things are going these days, I think it is not there only,” Hardik was quoted as saying.
Hardik blamed Pakistan’s hockey federation for the team’s downfall. He said that Pakistan has not been able to beat India in the last 10 years, and it shows where both teams stand at the moment. The Indian hockey team won the bronze medal in the last two editions of the Olympics.
“I think their federation (is responsible). I think their athletes are quite good, but they are not getting the facilities. Like in 2014, they had won against us the last time. Since 2014, Pakistan has not won against India in hockey. So I think like twelve years? Yes we didn’t lose a match,” he added.
Hardik’s comment comes just days after India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav said there is no longer a rivalry with Pakistan, pointing to India’s dominant record in the format. There is heightened tension between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack in April this year. The Indian cricket team refused to shake hands with Pakistani players during their 2025 Asia Cup games in Dubai.
India and Pakistan have already clashed twice in this Asia Cup, where the Men in Blue emerged victorious on both occasions. They will meet again in the final on Sunday, September 28.