India vs Pakistan is the mother of all cricket matches, and with both teams ready to face off on Feb 15 in Colombo in the T20 World Cup 2026, the craze and expectations are surging. Here are four players who earned the superstar status in the India-Pakistan games.

<p>India vs Pakistan is the mother of all cricket matches, and with both teams ready to face off on Feb 15 in Colombo in the T20 World Cup 2026, the craze and expectations are surging. Here are four players who earned the superstar status in the India-Pakistan games.</p>

From Virat Kohli to Tilak Varma, meet 4 players who earned superstar status in India-Pakistan matches

<p>India and Pakistan are set to look horns in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 as the mind games have started to take center stage in both camps. Firing the first shots on the opposition camp, former India captain Virat Kohli praised Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for his batting and hinted that he is probably the best batter in the world right now. With three weeks to go for the first Asia Cup 2023 meeting between India and Pakistan, the build-up is taking place nicely in both camps.</p>

<h2><strong>Virat lauds Babar</strong></h2>

<p>"The first interaction I had with him [Babar] was during the 2019 [ODI] World Cup after the game in Manchester. I've known Imad [Wasim] since the Under-19 World Cup, and he said Babar wanted to have a chat. We sat down and spoke about the game. I saw a lot of regard and respect from him from day one, and that hasn't changed," Kohli said.</p>

<p>"Regardless of the fact he's probably the top batsman in the world across formats, and rightly so. Performs so consistently and I've always enjoyed watching him play."</p>

<p>It is worth noting that, India and Pakistan could meet five times from now until the end of the World Cup. The two nations are drawn in the same group of Asia Cup along with Nepal and are all but guaranteed a top-two finish considering the former’s inexperience at the highest level. If this is the case, both India and Pakistan will reignite their rivalry in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup. Again, if both teams top the Super Four stage they will meet for the third time in the final of the Asia Cup.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/his-character-impresses-us-happy-with-progress-paras-mhambrey-on-all-format-bowler-mukesh-kumar-624796">His character impresses us, happy with progress: Paras Mhambrey on all-format bowler Mukesh Kumar</a></p>

<h2><strong>Virat’s obsession with Pakistan</strong></h2>

<p>Virat though will have bitter-sweet memories of Pakistan's affair in the World Cup, as he remains the only Indian skipper to lose to Pakistan in the grand tournament. Babar’s Pakistan beat India comprehensively in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Virat though had his revenge in the Australian version of the T20 World Cup in 2022 when he led India to a famous win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).</p>

<p>Both India and Pakistan are set to meet on a rescheduled date of Saturday, October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. India have never lost to Pakistan in the ODI World Cup in seven meetings and will look to maintain the dominating run. They could also meet in the semi-final or the final of the World Cup if a certain set of results are met.</p>

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India and Pakistan are set to look horns in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 as the mind games have started to take center stage in both camps. Firing the first shots on the opposition camp, former India captain Virat Kohli praised Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for his batting and hinted that he is probably the best batter in the world right now.

India and Pakistan are set to look horns in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 as the mind games have started to take center stage in both camps. Firing the first shots on the opposition camp, former India captain Virat Kohli praised Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for his batting and hinted that he is probably the best batter in the world right now. With three weeks to go for the first Asia Cup 2023 meeting between India and Pakistan, the build-up is taking place nicely in both camps. Virat lauds Babar "The first interaction I had with him [Babar] was during the 2019 [ODI] World Cup after the game in Manchester. I've known Imad [Wasim] since the Under-19 World Cup, and he said Babar wanted to have a chat. We sat down and spoke about the game. I saw a lot of regard and respect from him from day one, and that hasn't changed," Kohli said. "Regardless of the fact he's probably the top batsman in the world across formats, and rightly so. Performs so consistently and I've always enjoyed watching him play." It is worth noting that, India and Pakistan could meet five times from now until the end of the World Cup. The two nations are drawn in the same group of Asia Cup along with Nepal and are all but guaranteed a top-two finish considering the former’s inexperience at the highest level. If this is the case, both India and Pakistan will reignite their rivalry in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup. Again, if both teams top the Super Four stage they will meet for the third time in the final of the Asia Cup. ALSO READ | His character impresses us, happy with progress: Paras Mhambrey on all-format bowler Mukesh Kumar Virat’s obsession with Pakistan Virat though will have bitter-sweet memories of Pakistan's affair in the World Cup, as he remains the only Indian skipper to lose to Pakistan in the grand tournament. Babar’s Pakistan beat India comprehensively in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Virat though had his revenge in the Australian version of the T20 World Cup in 2022 when he led India to a famous win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Both India and Pakistan are set to meet on a rescheduled date of Saturday, October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. India have never lost to Pakistan in the ODI World Cup in seven meetings and will look to maintain the dominating run. They could also meet in the semi-final or the final of the World Cup if a certain set of results are met. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Virat Kohli lauds Babar Azam before Asia Cup, WC showdown, says 'probably top batsman in the world right now'

<p>Virat 'King' Kohli was at his imperious best on the big day. It's not often that a player of the caliber&nbsp;of Kohli who has won almost everything there is to win is speechless. Reflecting on his heroics after the match, Kohli said it was 'meant to happen'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I don't know how it happened. Standing here now, it feels like it was&nbsp;meant to be. It's a very very special moment," said Kohli.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I can't hear [smiles].&nbsp;It's a surreal atmosphere. I honestly have no idea how that happened. Hardik said to believe in yourself. Keep trying. I'm lost for words," added Kohli.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>With 48 needed off 18, Kohli's timely hits brought the equation down to 16 off 6 balls. However, what stood out was his two shots off Haris Rauf who was bowling bullets in excess of 150 clicks all throughout the game.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kohli laid down the plan on how he brought the equation down and managed to manufacture those two exquisite shots.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We knew Nawaz had the final over and if we could get something off Haris, Pakistan would get nervous. That's what happened. The equation came down to 16 from 6 after those sixes. It was instinctive. I just told myself to stay still. The one over long-on was picking the slower ball in anticipation and the one over fine leg, I just swung my bat."</p>

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<p>When asked if this was his best innings ever, Kohli replied in affirmative and recalled the inning he played against Australia in Mohali during the 2016 World Cup.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Till today I've always said Mohali was my best innings against Australia. They're exactly the same innings but this one counts higher because of the magnitude of the game. It's phenomenal."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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Virat 'King' Kohli was at his imperious best on the big day. It's not often that a player of the caliber of Kohli who has won almost everything there is to win is speechless.

Virat 'King' Kohli was at his imperious best on the big day. It's not often that a player of the caliber of Kohli who has won almost everything there is to win is speechless. Reflecting on his heroics after the match, Kohli said it was 'meant to happen'. "I don't know how it happened. Standing here now, it feels like it was meant to be. It's a very very special moment," said Kohli. "I can't hear [smiles]. It's a surreal atmosphere. I honestly have no idea how that happened. Hardik said to believe in yourself. Keep trying. I'm lost for words," added Kohli. With 48 needed off 18, Kohli's timely hits brought the equation down to 16 off 6 balls. However, what stood out was his two shots off Haris Rauf who was bowling bullets in excess of 150 clicks all throughout the game. Kohli laid down the plan on how he brought the equation down and managed to manufacture those two exquisite shots. "We knew Nawaz had the final over and if we could get something off Haris, Pakistan would get nervous. That's what happened. The equation came down to 16 from 6 after those sixes. It was instinctive. I just told myself to stay still. The one over long-on was picking the slower ball in anticipation and the one over fine leg, I just swung my bat." View this post on Instagram A post shared by ICC (@icc) × When asked if this was his best innings ever, Kohli replied in affirmative and recalled the inning he played against Australia in Mohali during the 2016 World Cup. "Till today I've always said Mohali was my best innings against Australia. They're exactly the same innings but this one counts higher because of the magnitude of the game. It's phenomenal." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

T20 WC: 'It was meant to be,' Virat Kohli after India pull off a memorable victory over Pakistan

Reliving Virat Kohli's glittering T20I numbers ahead of his 100th match during Indo-Pak Asia Cup showdown

<p>Virat Kohli has a massive fanbase worldwide. The 33-year-old Indian superstar is gearing up for his international comeback in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 edition, which gets underway on August 27. Ahead of India's tournament-opener versus Pakistan, on August 28 (Sunday) in Dubai, Kohli won hearts once again with his gesture for a specially-abled Pakistani fan girl who was desperate to meet him in Dubai.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even though the tournament is yet to start, many fans have reported to the Dubai stadium to catch a glimpse of star players and hope to meet them. Similarly, the Pakistani fangirl also attended the Indian cricket team's practice session in Dubai where she wanted to meet Virat. After waiting for hours, the fan finally met him once&nbsp;the former Indian skipper noticed her and asked the security to let her meet him. The overjoyed fan revealed the details of the meeting as well.</p>

<p>"I am not a fan of anyone but Virat Kohli, for whom I have come from Pakistan hoping to get a picture clicked with him. I waited for an entire month for this so the moment he finished his practice and was about to go back to his hotel, I tried a lot. He is an amazing person besides being a fabulous cricketer. He listened to me and agreed to my request of getting the selfie clicked," she told PakTV.</p>

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<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/our-partnerships-would-virat-kohlis-heartfelt-post-for-ms-dhoni-goes-viral-ahead-of-asia-cup-510262"><strong>'Our partnerships would...' - Virat Kohli's heartfelt post for MS Dhoni goes viral ahead of Asia Cup</strong></a></p>

<p>Ahead of the Asia Cup, Kohli had also tweeted about MS Dhoni while recalling his time serving as the legendary captain's deputy. He took to his Twitter account and wrote, "Being this man’s trusted deputy was the most enjoyable and exciting period in my career. Our partnerships would always be special to me forever. 7+18." The post went viral in no time.</p>

<p>Being out of form for quite sometime, Kohli will hope to deliver the goods for Rohit Sharma's Team India in the Asian championship in the UAE. The Men in Blue enter as the defending champions, having won the title twice in a row since 2016.</p>


Virat Kohli has a massive fanbase worldwide. The 33-year-old Indian superstar is gearing up for his international comeback in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 edition, which gets underway on August 27.

Virat Kohli has a massive fanbase worldwide. The 33-year-old Indian superstar is gearing up for his international comeback in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 edition, which gets underway on August 27. Ahead of India's tournament-opener versus Pakistan, on August 28 (Sunday) in Dubai, Kohli won hearts once again with his gesture for a specially-abled Pakistani fan girl who was desperate to meet him in Dubai. Even though the tournament is yet to start, many fans have reported to the Dubai stadium to catch a glimpse of star players and hope to meet them. Similarly, the Pakistani fangirl also attended the Indian cricket team's practice session in Dubai where she wanted to meet Virat. After waiting for hours, the fan finally met him once the former Indian skipper noticed her and asked the security to let her meet him. The overjoyed fan revealed the details of the meeting as well. "I am not a fan of anyone but Virat Kohli, for whom I have come from Pakistan hoping to get a picture clicked with him. I waited for an entire month for this so the moment he finished his practice and was about to go back to his hotel, I tried a lot. He is an amazing person besides being a fabulous cricketer. He listened to me and agreed to my request of getting the selfie clicked," she told PakTV. × ALSO READ | 'Our partnerships would...' - Virat Kohli's heartfelt post for MS Dhoni goes viral ahead of Asia Cup Ahead of the Asia Cup, Kohli had also tweeted about MS Dhoni while recalling his time serving as the legendary captain's deputy. He took to his Twitter account and wrote, "Being this man’s trusted deputy was the most enjoyable and exciting period in my career. Our partnerships would always be special to me forever. 7+18." The post went viral in no time. Being out of form for quite sometime, Kohli will hope to deliver the goods for Rohit Sharma's Team India in the Asian championship in the UAE. The Men in Blue enter as the defending champions, having won the title twice in a row since 2016.

Watch: Virat Kohli wins hearts, meets specially-abled Pakistani fangirl before India's Asia Cup opener