In a display of resilience and skill, Tilak Varma powered India to their ninth Asia Cup title with a brilliant performance against Pakistan on Sunday in Colombo. Chasing a modest target of 147 runs, India faced early setbacks, but Varma’s unbeaten 69 off 53 balls helped guide the team to a five-wicket victory.
The match began ominously for India as they slipped to 20 for 3 within the first five overs, raising concerns among fans. However, Varma combined determination with calculated aggression, demonstrating his capability as a reliable middle-order batsman. His partnerships with Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33 off 21) proved crucial in resurrecting the innings.
As the game reached a nail-biting conclusion, India needed 10 runs off the final over. Varma struck a magnificent six off Haris Rauf, before Rinku Singh, playing his first match of the tournament, hit the winning boundary, igniting celebrations across the stadium.
The victory not only showcased India’s composure under pressure but also highlighted their tactical acumen, especially in the context of the fierce rivalry with Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, India opted to bowl first, a decision that paid dividends thanks to a stellar bowling performance. Both Kuldeep Yadav and his spin colleagues dismantled the Pakistani batting lineup after a solid start. The opening pair of Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 38) and Fakhar Zaman (46 off 35) had given Pakistan a strong foundation, putting on 84 runs. However, Pakistan’s innings suffered a dramatic collapse, folding from 113 for 1 to 146 all out in 19.1 overs.
Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the chief destroyer, claiming 4 wickets for 30 runs. With support from Axar Patel (2/26) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/30), India’s spin attack proved too much for the Pakistani batsmen to handle.
Jasprit Bumrah played a crucial role in the final moments of Pakistan’s innings, with his yorker-led dismissal of Haris Rauf punctuating the collapse. Bumrah’s 2/25 helped India maintain control and finish off the innings in style.
Several turning points defined the match and swung momentum towards India:
- Tilak’s 57-run partnership with Samson proved vital for stabilizing the innings after early wickets fell.
- The 60-run partnership with Dube was pivotal, as it allowed India to gain a foothold in the chase.
- Finally, the 15th over from Haris Rauf, which cost 17 runs, broke Pakistan’s spirit and tipped the scales firmly in India’s favor.
Pakistan’s inability to effectively counter India’s spin variations and disciplined bowling lengths in the latter half of their innings remains a crucial lesson from this match. In summary, the final scores were:
- Pakistan: 146 all out in 19.1 overs (Farhan 57, Zaman 46; Kuldeep 4/30).
- India: 150/5 in 19.4 overs (Tilak Varma 69*, Shivam Dube 33).
The triumph in the Asia Cup final underscores India’s dominance in white-ball cricket against Pakistan. It showcased not just individual talent but a collective spirit that can thrive under intense pressure.
