.jpg?type=hq)
India vs Pakistan - (Source: X.com)
The recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan has shattered all records by becoming the most-viewed T20 game of an ICC event.
Notably, JioHotstar, the official streaming partner for the ongoing event, released a statement that 163 million footprints were registered digitally, surpassing the previously most-watched event, which was the India vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2024 final.
Notably, the viewership data has also surpassed the previous record set by the India-Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, there is a 56% increase in digital reach compared to the India vs Pakistan match at the 2024 tournament.
On mobile devices, the fixture recorded the highest league stage match reach of any ICC T20 event, with 1.2 times more digital viewers than the previous India-Pakistan encounter in 2024.
India-Pak Viewership Reaches New Heights Despite Boycott Threat
Notably, before the February 15 game, there were boycott calls by the fans in India because of the heightened tensions between the two nations. The relations worsened in May 2025, when the two nations nearly engaged in a full-fledged war.
Eventually, a section of fans vowed not to watch India-Pakistan games to honour the sacrifice from Indian army. However, despite the threats and calls to boycott the game, the match was able to generate a record-breaking viewership.
Also Read: “India-Pakistan Players Shake Hands, Sit Together And Eat”- England Captain Sends Shockwaves
Meanwhile, JioStar’s head of content also expressed his pleasure over the record-breaking numbers and stated that the figures prove India’s obsession with cricket.
JioHotstar head reflects on staggering viewership numbers
Siddharth Sharma, Head of Content, Sports at JioStar, commented: “The unprecedented viewership and engagement numbers for India vs Pakistan is further proof of the nation’s obsession with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
"Complementing the Indian Cricket Team’s stellar exploits on the field with unmatched scale and choice of unique content offerings, JioStar is giving viewers more than one reason to stay locked in as India attempts to defeat history and become the first-ever back-to-back T20 World Champions.”
India-Pakistan World Cup Match Scripts New Records on TV
Not just digitally, but the fans also tuned in through their television sets. Notably, the reach was 2.4 times higher than the 2024 game on Television. Further, the total watch time across all screens reached 20 billion minutes, representing a 42% increase in consumption compared to the prior edition.
The viewership is expected to break more records in the coming days as the Super 8 round begins on Saturday, February 21. India and Pakistan are placed in different groups, but the two teams can still meet in the semi-finals, and even a repeat of the 2007 T20 World Cup is also on the cards.
For the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final between India and Pakistan, one of the two teams need to finish 1st in their group and the other second to lock horns for the second time in this tournament.
