The hero of the nail-biting final, Tilak Varma, dedicated the win against Pakistan and the Asia Cup title to all Indians. Tilak’s remarks came after his 53-ball 69 helped India win their ninth Asia Cup trophy by defeating Pakistan in a last-over thriller by five wickets.
“One of the most special knocks of my life. This is for all Indians,” said Tilak after winning the Player of the Match award.
Having played most of his T20I innings at No. 3, Tilak was given a middle-order role in the Asia Cup. While he didn’t have a fixed batting position throughout the tournament, Tilak was prepared to do the job for his team at any number.
“We have prepared for every position. You should be flexible. I was prepared to bat at any position. I was backing my game,” he added.
Tilak forged a match-defining fifth-wicket partnership of 60 runs with Shivam Dube, who scored 33 off 22 deliveries in the run chase. From 77 for 4, this partnership not only brought India back into the game, but also ensured the required run rate was kept in check.
“The way Dube batted under pressure was helpful and important for the country,” Tilak said in praise of Dube.
With his unbeaten knock of 69, Tilak recorded the second-highest individual score in a men’s T20 Asia Cup final. Sri Lanka’s Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who smashed 71* against Pakistan in 2022, remains at the top.
The southpaw also finished the tournament as India’s second-highest and the tournament’s fourth-highest run-scorer with 213 runs to his name.
Tilak has been brilliant with the bat in the second innings. So far, in the 11 run chases in his T20I career, the 22-year-old has scored 370 runs at an average of 92.50 and a strike rate of 134.54. Once again, in a run chase, Tilak delivered for his team.
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