Tilak Varma has finally opened up about the intense verbal exchanges during the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, revealing that his match-winning knock of 69 not out* was the “best reply” to the opposition’s sledging.
India lifted their ninth Asia Cup title after a tense five-wicket victory in Dubai, where Tilak held his nerve during the chase of 147. Despite early pressure and aggressive on-field tactics from Pakistan, the 22-year-old chose to let his bat do the talking.
“There was some pressure and nerves initially, but I wanted to win the match for my country,” Tilak said after returning from Dubai. “If I had given in, I would have let down 140 crore people. The best reply was to win the game, and that’s exactly what we did.”
Pakistan’s Aggression After ‘Operation Sindoor’
Tilak admitted Pakistan players were at their vocal best during the final.
“After Operation Sindoor, they came hard at us. We lost three quick wickets, and things got heated. I had to walk in earlier than usual, but I kept calm. I didn’t respond to them during the match—I saved my words for after we won,” he revealed.
The Hyderabad batter emphasized that he stuck to basics, trusted his training, and focused on building partnerships with Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma to steady the chase.
Calm Under Pressure
With 10 runs needed in the final over from Haris Rauf, Tilak remained composed.
“I was calm under pressure. I believed in myself and thought only about my country. Ball by ball, I knew I could win it,” he said.
Tilak rated the innings among the best of his career, alongside his unbeaten 72 against England in Chennai. “Playing a match-winning knock in an Asia Cup final against Pakistan is one of the greatest feelings of my career so far,” he said proudly.
On Comparisons With Virat Kohli
After his heroics, Tilak was compared with Virat Kohli, the original “chase master.” But the youngster stayed humble.
“It’s a huge honor to be spoken of in the same breath as Virat bhai, but my focus is only on winning matches for India,” Tilak said.
Also Read: Kuldeep Yadav Credits Duleep Trophy for Finding Rhythm Ahead of Asia Cup 2025
Eyes on T20 World Cup 2026
Having grown up watching India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, Tilak has now set his sights on India’s next big target.
“My real aim is to win the T20 World Cup at home next year. I will sleep peacefully only after lifting that trophy,” he said.
Tilak also thanked his childhood coaches Salam Bayash and Prithvi, along with the Hyderabad Cricket Association and BCCI, for shaping his cricketing journey. “When no one knew me, my coaches backed me. Whatever I am today, it’s because of them,” he added.
With his composure, grit, and match-winning temperament, Tilak Varma has stamped himself as one of India’s brightest stars for the future.
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