DUBAI: Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has lavished praise on Tilak Varma after the youngster’s match-winning innings in the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan. India successfully chased down a tricky target of 147 with five wickets in hand and just two balls to spare, thanks to Varma’s composed 69 not out that guided the team out of a precarious situation.
Tilak Varma anchors India’s chase
India’s pursuit of 147 began shakily, losing three wickets for just 20 runs as Pakistan’s pacers struck early. Varma, however, stood tall under pressure, constructing his innings with a calm head. Displaying excellent shot selection, he rotated the strike and picked boundaries judiciously, particularly against Pakistan’s spinners. His ability to adapt to the Dubai pitch, where the bounce was sticky and uneven, proved decisive.
Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, described Varma as the standout performer. “Tilak Varma absolutely stole the show. He showed that he was made of veins of ice. It was an outstanding knock. India were in a very precarious situation, but he took us home,” Ashwin said. He also emphasised Varma’s versatility against both pace and spin, noting his clever use of sweeps, drives down the ground, and square shots.
Spinners swing momentum back for India
While Varma’s batting was the highlight of the chase, India’s bowlers—particularly the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy—were instrumental in setting up the victory. Pakistan had started strongly through openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, but India’s spinners pulled things back remarkably in the middle overs.
Ashwin credited the pair for their control and tactical awareness. “I would like to give credit to Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav. It was a next-level comeback. Pakistan’s openers gave them a superb start, but in big matches, pressure tells. Our spinners were relentless,” he remarked.
Kuldeep Yadav finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in seven matches, averaging an impressive 9.29. His ability to exploit Dubai’s slow, bouncy tracks was a key factor behind India’s successful campaign.
Kuldeep’s effectiveness in Dubai conditions
Ashwin offered an in-depth explanation of why Kuldeep thrived in Dubai. He pointed out that shots which would normally sail for six in conditions like Jaipur during the IPL instead resulted in dismissals on the slower surfaces of Dubai. “When you bowl slow here, the ball sits down and bounces a little more. That creates top edges. Saim Ayub’s dismissal, for example, came from trying to cut, but the bounce created an edge straight to point. Such wickets are unlikely in Indian conditions,” he explained.
This adaptability and tactical nous underlined why Kuldeep emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest match-winners.
Leadership under Suryakumar Yadav
India’s victory also highlighted the growing maturity of Suryakumar Yadav as captain. Balancing attacking instincts with measured calls, he trusted his young players in crucial situations. His decision to persist with spinners when Pakistan looked set for a big score paid off, while his faith in Varma during the tense chase proved justified.
The Asia Cup 2025 has showcased India’s depth and resilience. With established stars like Kuldeep Yadav leading from the front and emerging talents like Tilak Varma stepping up under immense pressure, the team’s future appears well balanced across departments.
Conclusion
India’s thrilling win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final was more than just another chapter in the storied rivalry. It demonstrated the significance of composure under pressure, tactical awareness, and team balance. For Tilak Varma, his unbeaten 69 not only sealed India’s title win but also announced his arrival as a dependable batsman for high-pressure contests. With the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the brilliance of Kuldeep Yadav, and the emergence of fearless youngsters, India’s campaign underscored the depth of talent in the side.