IND vs PAK confrontation during the Champions Trophy 2025 on February 23 became one of the highest-viewed cricket matches of all time, shattering many impressive viewership records. The nail-biting clash between these old foes not only generated tremendous buzz but also achieved unprecedented records both in television viewing and online streaming media.
Record-Breaking TV Viewership IND vs PAK
The official broadcaster for the Champions Trophy, Star Sports, recently issued shocking statistics that showed the global popularity of this match. Based on the statistics, the India-Pakistan match had an unbelievable 20.6 crore viewers on television, which ranked it as the second highest-watched match in TV history, not counting World Cup knockout matches.
A staggering number surpasses the viewership of most former cricket matches, comprising the immensely buzzed India vs. Pakistan battle in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The match of the 2025 Champions Trophy interestingly gained 5.9% in viewership from the match of the previous World Cup.
This match achieved a rating of 10.0, but the India-Pakistan encounter in the 2023 World Cup could only achieve a rating of 9.5, thus showcasing that high-stakes matches never fail to excite viewers.
New Heights in Digital Streaming
Besides record-breaking TV viewership, the India vs Pakistan match also broke records on digital streaming. JioHotstar, a top Indian streaming platform, recorded an astounding 60.2 crore viewers for the match. This is the largest-ever number of livestream viewers for a cricket match, marking the growing trend of online streaming for sports events in India. The need for online content is obviously on the increase, and this contest has created a new record when it comes to international cricket viewing.
India’s Dominant Victory
So far as the match itself went, it was an exciting contest with Pakistan opting to bat first after winning the toss. In spite of a solid start, Pakistan could not make the most of it and was bowled out for 241 runs in 49.4 overs.
The Indian side, which boasts a strong batting order, took the target lightly, courtesy of a brilliant show by Virat Kohli. Kohli’s unbeaten century helped India win, reaching the target in 42.3 overs with six wickets remaining. The victory not only guaranteed India’s place in the final but also ensured the match’s place in history as one of the most unforgettable meetings in recent cricketing history.
The Road Ahead for India
This unrestrained triumph has propelled India into the finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy, where they will contest against New Zealand on March 9 for the honors. The winning streak of the side in the tournament is capturing everyone’s imagination, as it has seen them overcome the likes of Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Australia. Another heart-stopping contest against New Zealand is on the cards as India chases the elusive trophy.
The clash between India and Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy is one for the annals of history, not only because of the goosebumps they gave but also because of the record number of television viewers it pulled in.
With the evolution of digital platforms, cricket’s popularity does not seem to slow down, and this match is a prime example of cricket’s popularity all over the world. With India’s path to the final to be revealed, everyone will be looking at the next game against New Zealand, as people eagerly wait for another moment of history in the sport.
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