Hyderabad
Indian batter Tilak Varma supported captain Suryakumar Yadav’s statement that Pakistan posed no real challenge for India in the Asia Cup 2025 final. Varma revealed the pressure he felt during the match but emphasized that representing the country was his top priority. His match-winning knock of 69 off 53 balls* helped India chase down Pakistan’s target, securing a fifth-wicket win and the championship.
“I agree with what Surya bhai said—Pakistan is no competition. But we adapt our strategy for each match. There was pressure, a lot going on in my mind, but the country is above everything. India is at the top. I was determined to give my all and tried to remain calm,” Varma said.
Team India, under Suryakumar’s captaincy, continues its dominant T20I streak, having won 18 matches, lost just two, and tied two since he took the helm.
In the final, Pakistan set an early platform with an 84-run partnership between Sahidzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46). However, spinners Kuldeep Yadav (4/30) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/30) triggered a collapse, reducing Pakistan to 146 all out in 19.1 overs, with Bumrah (2/25) claiming the last two wickets.
During India’s chase, early blows from Faheem Ashraf (3/29) reduced India to 20/3, but Tilak Varma’s composure, supported by Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33), revived the innings. Finally, Rinku Singh, playing his first Asia Cup match, struck the winning runs on the first ball.
Varma’s performance, calm under pressure and powerful with the bat, was crucial in securing India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph over arch-rivals Pakistan.
