In the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, Team India secured a dominating victory by five wickets at the Dubai International Stadium.
Tilak Varma was the architect of Team India`s run chase in the final against Pakistan. Facing 53 balls, he played a knock of 69 runs, which was laced with three boundaries and four maximums.
Speaking about his knock, Varma labelled it as one of the most special knocks of his life.
“There was pressure. They were bowling well. They were mixing the pace up. I was breathing up and trying to stay calm. One of the most special knocks of my life. Chak De India,” Tilak said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
The post-match presentation ceremony was delayed by over an hour.
He then said that everyone in his team is well prepared to bat at any position and also heaped praise on Sanju Samson and Shiva Dube for delivering crucial knocks.
“We have prepared for every position. You should be flexible. I was prepared to bat at any order. I was backing my game. When the wickets are on the slower side, I have talked to Gauti sir and I have worked hard with him,” said Tilak, who was also named the “Player of the Match” for his contributions.
“Fantastic knock from Samson. The way Dube batted under pressure was important for the country,” added the Hyderabad-born cricketer.
Despite losing quick wickets, Sanju Samson scored 24 runs in 21 balls, with the help of two boundaries and a maximum. Later, Shivam Dube chipped in by delivering a knock of 33 runs off 22 deliveries. His knock was laced with two boundaries and the same number of maximums.
With the final victory, the “Men in Blue” registered their third win against the “Green Shirts” in the just-concluded continental tournament.
Following the triumph, Team India refused to receive the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Mohsin Naqvi. After India`s refusal, Naqvi was seen walking away with the showpiece.
Speaking on the incident, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Devajit Saikia, assured that the board will launch a protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against the ACC.
“So far as the trophy is concerned, trophy distribution, India cannot take the trophy from the person who is waging a war against our country. We have taken a decision not to accept the trophy but that does not allow the gentleman to take away the trophy and the medals to his hotel,” said Saikia.
“This is unexpected, very childish in nature and we will launch a very strong protest with ICC in the forthcoming ICC meeting to be held in Dubai in the first week of November,” he added.
(With PTI Inputs)