![[Watch] Asia Cup 2025: Gautam Gambhir animatedly bangs table in joy as Tilak Varma whacks Haris Rauf for six](https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/cardpress/binge-magazine-card-generation/spaces/IN/en/crictracker-spaces/images/ppid_49c02804-image-175908753683111149.webp)
The Player of the Match in the 2025 Asia Cup final, Tilak Varma, got the craziest of welcomes in Hyderabad as he returned home having helped India win the trophy by beating arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets. Tilak remained unbeaten and top-scored for India with a brilliant 69.
He was the anchor and the rock of the team’s 147-run chase. His knock began in the power play when the team was already three wickets down and under extreme pressure from the Pakistani bowlers, who had their tails up. But he calmed things down with the help of Sanju Samson, who scored 20, and then counter-attacked brilliantly in a partnership with Shivam Dube, before taking Rinku Singh’s help to score 10 off the last over.
Watch his welcome here:
VIDEO | The hero of Asia
Cup final Tilak Varma (@TilakV9) gets rousing welcome with crowd greeting him with beats of drums upon his arrival at Hyderabad airport.
The batter walked in during chase at a crucial time when Indian team was tottering at three wickets down during their… pic.twitter.com/p1XZwT0LmE
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 29, 2025
GRAND WELCOME FOR THE ASIA CUP HERO, TILAK VARMA IN HYDERABAD…..!!!! 😍🔥 pic.twitter.com/l1mVZgqIWA
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 29, 2025
Tilak was sledged by the Pakistani players but maintained his composure throughout, only breaking into ultra-aggressive celebrations when India had secured the win. Afterwards, he credited his partners, Samson and Dube, and also the men’s head coach Gautam Gambhir for their contributions to his performance.
“There was a bit of pressure, but I wanted to stay on the wicket and finish the game,” he said. “They were bowling well and mixing up the pace, but I wanted to finish the game for my country. I was breathing up and trying to stay calm. It was a fantastic knock by Samson; the way Dubey batted was very important for the country. We were prepared for every position,” Tilak added.
“Gautam bhai said that we should be flexible for every position in order,” Tilak said. “When the wickets are on the slower side, I have talked to Gauti sir and have worked hard on sweep shots and running between the wickets. It was really special. One of the most special knocks of my life. This is for all the Indians. I can only say Chak de India,” he added.
