Tilak Varma receives rousing welcome back home in Hyderabad following Asia Cup final heroics against Pakistan
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Indian cricket fans in Hyderabad gave a hero’s welcome to young batter Tilak Varma when he returned home after his starring role in India’s thrilling Asia Cup final win over Pakistan in Dubai. Crowds gathered, chanting his name to the beat of dhol drums, while media swarmed for interviews.
Tilak’s unbeaten 69 off 53 balls, packed with three fours and four sixes, turned the game on its head. India had slumped to 20 for 3 while chasing 147, but his steady partnerships with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube steered them to victory. Fans love how Tilak shines in pressure moments—like his knockout record for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and for India, where he’s racked up 207 runs in five innings at an average of 51.75 and a strike rate over 160, including a half-century.
The 21-year-old left-hander has been a chase specialist in T20Is, notching 370 runs in 11 innings at 92.50 average and 134.54 strike rate, with three fifties. He’s one of India’s bright spots in the middle order this tournament, scoring 213 runs in six innings at 71.00 average—unbeaten three times—with a 131.48 strike rate. His final knock made him India’s second-top scorer behind Abhishek Sharma’s 314 runs.
Overall, in 32 T20Is and 30 innings, Tilak has 962 runs at 53.44 average, featuring two centuries, four fifties, and a best of 120 not out. No wonder he’s emerging as a key player for India cricket.
In the final, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl first. Pakistan started strong with an 84-run opening stand—Sahidzada Farhan smashed 57 off 38 balls (four fours, three sixes), and Fakhar Zaman made 46 off 35 (two fours, two sixes). But India’s spinners took over: Kuldeep Yadav grabbed 4 for 30, Varun Chakaravarthy claimed 2 for 30, and Jasprit Bumrah sealed it with 2 for 25. Pakistan crumbled from 113 for 1 to 146 all out in 19.1 overs.
The chase got off to a rocky start with Faheem Ashraf taking 3 for 29 to leave India at 20 for 3. Tilak steadied the ship, adding 57 runs with Samson (24 off 21, two fours, one six). Then, he teamed up with Dube (33 off 22, two fours, two sixes) for more firepower, keeping Pakistan at bay. Rookie Rinku Singh, in his first Asia Cup game, sealed the win with a boundary on the first ball of the final over. What a way for India to lift the Asia Cup trophy!
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