Mumbai: The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has set new records, with 20.6 Crore TV viewers tuning in to watch the thrilling contest on Star Sports. This historic face-off has become the second most-watched cricket match in BARC history, outside of World Cup encounters.
The latest edition of the Greatest Rivalry, played on February 23, 2025, in Dubai, surpassed the previous India-Pakistan showdown in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023. The match delivered a ~11% increase in ratings (TVR) compared to the 2023 World Cup match held in Ahmedabad, further proving the ever-growing intensity of cricket’s most iconic rivalry.
The match, which saw Virat Kohli becoming the fastest player to reach 14,000 ODI runs, clocked a staggering 2609 Crore minutes of TV watch-time, reinforcing India’s passion for the sport.
Speaking about this record-breaking achievement, a JioStar – Sports spokesperson stated, “JioStar is scaling new heights as far as India’s experience of marquee sporting events is concerned. Combining the power of deep consumer focus, immersive storytelling, universalized access, and incisive marketing, Star Sports has galvanized the interest in this age-old rivalry. We remain committed to serving fans, deepening fandom, and recruiting new cohorts.”
Adding to the excitement, fans were delighted by a viral moment when former Indian captain MS Dhoni and Bollywood star Sunny Deol were seen enjoying the match together, setting social media abuzz even among non-viewers.
Star Sports ensured unmatched engagement in the lead-up to the marquee clash, curating special programming to enhance the viewing experience.
“Thank You Pakistan…Jeetega Hindustan” – A high-energy show featuring cricket legends Navjot Singh Sidhu, Yuvraj Singh, Shahid Afridi, and Inzamam-Ul-Haq.
“Follow the Blues” – Offering exclusive insights into Team India’s preparations ahead of the big match.
Live Match-Day Coverage: “Dil Se India” kicked off at 8:00 AM, setting the stage for the high-voltage encounter.
Oaksmith Cricket Live: Star Sports’ pre, mid, and post-match shows garnered 2.2 Crore additional viewers in addition to the main match audience.
With Team India remaining unbeaten in the tournament, the excitement continues to build as they gear up to face New Zealand in the final on March 9, 2025. If victorious, India will lift another ICC trophy following their triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Final between India and New Zealand will air live on the JioStar network, starting at 8:00 AM on March 9.
