Netflix's 'biased' Pakistan-India cricket docuseries faces backlash

Netflix's much-anticipated documentary, The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan, promised to capture the magnitude of cricket's fiercest contest. However, following its release, fans from both sides of the border expressed their scepticism.

Many accused it of being one-sided and lacking balance. While some were excited about reliving the iconic moments of the rivalry, others questioned whether the documentary truly offered a neutral perspective.

One of the earliest concerns raised was about potential bias, with a fan sarcastically commenting, "It's going to be super biased, might even call Pakistani cricketers janab."

Another user pointed out the selective coverage of matches, noting that "Seems like they aren't gonna talk about the 2012 series and Champions Trophy 2017 (Pakistan won)." This led to further speculation that the documentary might focus more on India's triumphs rather than presenting a fair historical account.

In addition, some viewers felt the focus was shifting from the broader rivalry to individual personalities. One commenter said, "It looks like a Shoaib Akhtar vs. Virender Sehwag rivalry."

Beyond the content itself, some fans criticised the fundamental nature of the rivalry, arguing that it lacks balance as the two teams are not playing bilateral series anymore. A user expressed this by saying, "India vs Pakistan would be an even bigger rivalry if India would deign to play their neighbours."

Previously, even the trailer failed to impress many, as some complained about missing key players. "The trailer didn't have Sachin, Virat, Rohit, Akram, Gambhir. Needed a much more explosive trailer," one fan pointed out. Another bluntly called it "The worst trailer. Let sports be sports… why bring visuals of the army?"

Some critics dismissed the documentary's premise altogether, calling it a "Greatest One-Sided Rivalry", while others doubted its neutrality, stating, "I doubt this will be an unbiased documentary with a perspective from both sides."

As the debate rages on, some viewers are already calling it a missed opportunity. One unimpressed fan summed it up: "Most boring series to watch… could have been made much better, honestly."

Whether the documentary lives up to expectations or remains a subject of controversy, one thing is clear: the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry continues to ignite passionate debates far beyond the pitch.

The documentary focuses on the historic 2004 series when India played Pakistan after years of political tensions. This tour was more than just cricket—it was a moment when sports brought two rival nations together. Players share their experiences, discussing the pressure, excitement, and friendships built during these matches, giving fans a closer look at what it's like to play in one of the biggest rivalries in cricket.