India star hockey midfielder Hardik Singh opened up on the overhyped rivalry against Pakistan, saying that a rivalry exists between the neighbouring nations in their sport, too, making a jet gesture mimicking.
Pakistan, which was once the hockey heavyweight, winning four Olympic gold medals, was one of India's biggest rivals. India has won the Olympic gold eight times.
However, things have changed drastically over time, with India enjoying a resurgence in the sport with back-to-back Olympic medals, even as Pakistan struggled to regain their glory days and witnessed a prolonged decline.
"I think that right now there is no competition only, so there is no point about 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," said Hardik at the India Today Conclave.
The gesture of jet came into the limelight after Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf did it during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against India at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Hardik believes the real reason behind Pakistan hockey's downfall is that athletes in Pakistan aren't getting the right facilities.
"I think their federation. I think their athletes are quite good, but they are not getting 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," said Hardik.
Notably, Pakistan recently refused to visit India to feature in the hockey Asia Cup 2025, which was hosted in Rajgir, Bihar in August-September. India won the title and have sealed their berth for the World Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30 next year.