The atmosphere was electric, the tension palpable. The Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan is always more than just a game; it's a clash of titans, a battle of wills, and a spectacle that captivates billions. For Tilak Varma, the young Indian batter, the weight of expectations in the 2025 final was almost unbearable.
"I was sweating," Varma confessed in a post-match interview. "All I could think about was we can't lose this final against Pakistan".
Varma walked into a pressure cooker situation. India, chasing a tricky total of 147, had lost three early wickets, injecting a sense of urgency and anxiety into the already charged atmosphere. The Pakistani bowlers, smelling blood, were relentless, and the vociferous crowd added to the pressure.
"There was some pressure and nerves initially," Varma admitted. "But I have placed my country ahead of everything else, and I wanted to win the match for the country".
The young batsman revealed that the Pakistan players resorted to intense sledging, attempting to unsettle him and break his concentration. "After Operation Sindoor, they came hard on us," Varma stated, referring to Prime Minister Modi's description of a previous victory.
However, Varma remained composed, refusing to be drawn into verbal duels. "I wanted my bat to do the talking," he asserted. "They were saying a lot of things; I just wanted to respond with my bat".
Varma focused on his basics, relying on the lessons instilled in him by his coaches since childhood. "I believed in the basics that I learned as a young cricketer from my coaches and executed it," he explained. "The best reply to them was to win the match, and that's what we did".
Together with Shivam Dube, Varma forged a crucial 60-run partnership, wresting the momentum back in India's favor. Varma's unbeaten 69 off 53 balls proved to be the match-winning innings, guiding India to a five-wicket victory.
Despite the sledging and pressure, Varma maintained his composure and steered India to victory. "During the match, I was just focusing on my basics; I was not ready to answer them," he said. "Whatever I want to tell them, I told them after the match, and not when the game was going on". He also added, "There were a lot of things happening in the middle, but I can't reveal all of them... But our focus was on winning the match".
Varma's match-winning knock was not just a personal triumph but a testament to his mental fortitude and unwavering commitment to his team and country. "Of course, nerves were there, so much was going on in my mind and my body... India is far above all," Varma said. "What I keep in my mind and heart is, whatever I do, I dedicate everything to the country today".
Reflecting on the experience, Varma acknowledged the significance of the victory. "I am happy that I could make India win the Asia Cup," he said. "I started playing cricket after the 2011 World Cup. The (T20) World Cup is going to take place soon. That is my real aim. I will get sleep only after I win the World Cup".