Tilak Varma’s Match-Winning Knock, Kuldeep Yadav’s Spell:

In a gripping and politically charged Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai, India edged past Pakistan by five wickets, thanks to a composed and unbeaten 69-run knock by 22-year-old Tilak Varma. The high-stakes contest wasn't just a battle of bat and ball—it unfolded into a full-blown drama as the Indian team refused to accept the winner’s trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi. Chasing 147 after bowling out Pakistan in 19.1 overs, India were rocked early, losing Abhishek Sharma (5), captain Suryakumar Yadav (1), and Shubman Gill in quick succession. At 39 for 3, things looked bleak. But Varma, cool under pressure, anchored the chase superbly. He mixed caution with aggression in his 53-ball innings, which included four sixes and three boundaries. His calm presence at the crease held India together amid a collapse and mounting pressure. India’s batting effort was supported by crucial cameos—Sanju Samson chipped in with 24 off 21 balls, while Shivam Dube held his nerve in a steady stand with Varma. Dube fell in the penultimate over with just nine runs left, but Rinku Singh stepped up to finish the match in style—smashing the winning boundary off his very first delivery. The match was a rollercoaster, but the post-match events stole the spotlight. After over an hour’s delay in the presentation ceremony, it was announced that the Indian team had collectively decided not to attend it or receive the trophy from Naqvi. While individual award winners like Varma, Sharma, and Kuldeep Yadav did collect their cheques, they avoided shaking hands with the ACC chairman. Despite the tense atmosphere, celebrations soon erupted in the Indian camp. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and teammates posed with a mock trophy, marking India’s ninth Asia Cup title with smiles and cheers away from the main stage. Earlier, Pakistan had started their innings with promise. Openers Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 38) and Fakhar Zaman (46 off 35) gave them a flying start, putting on 84 runs for the first wicket. But after Farhan’s dismissal, Pakistan crumbled, losing their last eight wickets for just 33 runs. From 113-2, they were bowled out for 146, thanks largely to Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliant spell of 4/30. Axar Patel, Bumrah, and Chakravarthy chipped in with a wicket each. Kuldeep finished the tournament as the top wicket-taker with 17 scalps, while Abhishek Sharma, despite his early exit in the final, ended as the tournament’s top run-scorer with 314 runs. This final will be remembered not just for Varma’s match-winning innings, but for the unusual and politically sensitive aftermath. Cricket fans witnessed a thrilling contest—one where India triumphed on the field, but chose to take a stand off it.

SPORT