Tilak Varma isn’t backing down. Fresh off a match-winning knock in the Asia Cup final, the left-hander doubled down on captain Suryakumar Yadav’s fiery claim that Pakistan is “no competition” for India.
The remark, coming after another high-stakes IND vs PAK clash, adds fuel to a rivalry that already had plenty of sparks; from tense finishes on the field to noise off it.
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Tilak Varma backs Suryakumar Yadav after IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 final heroics
Varma admitted the pressure was real, but insisted pride in representing India mattered most. His words now sharpen the edge around a final that India won on the back of partnerships, spin and composure under fire.
“I agree with what Surya bhai (Suryakumar Yadav) said, that it (Pakistan) is no competition,” Varma told reporters. “There indeed was pressure; a lot was going on in my mind. But the country is above everything else. India is at the top.”
He backed it up with the bat. Walking in at 20/3 chasing 147, Varma absorbed Pakistan’s early surge before stitching together crucial stands; 57 runs with Sanju Samson (24 off 21) and another with Shivam Dube (33 off 22).
His unbeaten 69 off 53 balls, decorated with three fours and four sixes, was the difference-maker as India sealed a five-wicket win. Rinku Singh applied the finishing touch, but it was Varma’s calmness that carried India home.
Tilak Varma rates Asia Cup 2025 IND vs PAK final as best feeling of his career
Varma has already stacked up standout knocks in his young career, two centuries and an unbeaten 72 against England in Chennai among them. But he says nothing compares to the Asia Cup final.
“Of course, playing in the Asia Cup that too against Pakistan under pressure is one of the greatest feelings. This is the best feeling ever I experienced,” he said.
India’s spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy destroy Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 final
Pakistan had threatened to run away with it. Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) put on 84 for the first wicket, hammering India’s new ball attack. At 113/1 in the 13th over, they looked set for 180-plus.
Kuldeep Yadav had other ideas. His 4/30 ripped the middle order apart, with Varun Chakravarthy (2/30) piling on the damage. Jasprit Bumrah (2/25) mopped up the tail. From cruising at 113/1, Pakistan collapsed to 146 all out in 19.1 overs, leaving their bowlers little margin for error.
For India, it was another trophy. For Tilak, it was a statement, both with bat and words, that he’s ready for the big stage.