Gambhir reacts as India clinches thrilling Asia Cup final
Dubai: India head coach Gautam Gambhir let his emotions show during the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, after a dramatic victory sealed by Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh. The defending champions secured a five-wicket win chasing 147, with just two balls to spare, marking India’s ninth overall Asia Cup title across formats and second in T20 history.
A viral video captured Gambhir, normally known for his calm demeanor, banging the desk passionately as Tilak Varma eased the pressure with a massive six over midwicket. With India needing 10 runs off the final over, the excitement inside the dressing room was palpable.
Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh deliver under pressure
Chasing a target of 147, India suffered an early collapse, slumping to 20-3 within four overs, including the key dismissal of Abhishek Sharma for 5. However, Tilak Varma, who remained unbeaten on 69 off 53 balls, and Shivam Dube (33 off 22 balls) staged a remarkable recovery.
Varma first partnered with Sanju Samson for a 57-run stand and later steadied the chase alongside Dube. Needing 10 runs off the last over, Tilak hit a double off the first delivery from Haris Rauf before sending the next ball soaring over midwicket for a six. The equation was reduced to two runs off four balls, calming nerves across the Indian dressing room.
Rinku Singh, playing his first match in the tournament, struck a boundary through mid-on to seal India’s victory, sending fans and teammates into delirium. Gambhir later lauded Tilak for arguably playing the finest knock of his international career.
India’s bowling dominance and Pakistan’s collapse
Earlier, Pakistan batted first and seemed on course for a competitive total after reaching 113-1. However, India’s spinners – Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel – dismantled the lower order, skittling Pakistan for 146 in 19.1 overs. Nine wickets fell for just 33 runs in the final 10 overs, highlighting India’s disciplined bowling attack.
Jasprit Bumrah also made headlines for his cheeky “crashing-plane” gesture after dismissing Haris Rauf, responding to the pacer’s earlier controversial celebrations against Indian fans.
First India-Pakistan Asia Cup final adds extra tension
This final marked the first India-Pakistan encounter in Asia Cup history, which started in 1984. Both teams had already faced each other twice in the ongoing tournament – during group play and the Super Four stage – with India winning comfortably on both occasions. Reflecting the rivalry, India’s players avoided handshakes with Pakistan after all previous matches, and no handshakes occurred at the toss on Sunday.
Gambhir’s reaction goes viral
The head coach’s visible excitement, captured on camera, instantly went viral across social media platforms. Gambhir’s gesture reflected the significance of the victory and the intensity of the high-pressure final. On X (formerly Twitter), he later praised his players, writing, “In the end, INTENT always wins,” highlighting the role of determination and composure in India’s triumph.
Conclusion
India’s thrilling 5-wicket victory in the Asia Cup 2025 final was a combination of disciplined bowling, crucial partnerships under pressure, and emotional leadership from coach Gautam Gambhir. The win not only secured India’s ninth Asia Cup title but also added another memorable chapter to the storied India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.