Tilak Varma Leads India to Asia Cup 2025 Title With Unbeaten 69 in Controversial Final Against Pakistan
India lifted their ninth Asia Cup title in dramatic fashion on Sunday night, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets in a politically charged and controversy-filled final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The hero of the night was Tilak Varma, who played a calm yet commanding unbeaten knock of 69 off 53 balls, guiding India through a tricky chase of 147 runs. The 22-year-old left-hander entered the crease at a precarious 10-2 in the third over and anchored the innings with remarkable maturity as wickets tumbled around him.
But while the cricket on the field was thrilling, the drama that followed the final delivery ensured the 2025 Asia Cup will be remembered as much for its off-field controversies as for India’s hard-fought victory.
India Refuse to Accept Trophy From ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi
After sealing the win, the post-match presentation ceremony descended into chaos. The Indian players refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and head of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
The ceremony, delayed by over an hour, saw only a few Indian cricketers – including Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, and Kuldeep Yadav – collect their individual awards, carefully avoiding direct interaction with Naqvi. Captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates later celebrated with a mock trophy on the field, a symbolic act cheered on by the Indian supporters in the stands.
According to the Press Trust of India, the team’s decision was a deliberate protest against receiving the trophy from a Pakistani political figure. The snub quickly sparked heated debates across social media and sports forums, adding another chapter to the already intense India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.
Varma Holds Nerve After Early Collapse
The run chase began poorly for India. Star batter Abhishek Sharma, the tournament’s leading run scorer, fell for just 5 runs in the second over, caught at mid-on off Faheem Ashraf’s bowling. Captain Suryakumar Yadav followed soon after, dismissed by Shaheen Afridi for a single, leaving India struggling at 12-3.
Shubman Gill briefly steadied the innings but departed soon after, leaving wicketkeeper Sanju Samson to join Varma. Samson contributed a brisk 24 off 21 balls before leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed struck.
From there, Varma and all-rounder Shivam Dube stitched together a crucial stand. Dube, who had earlier opened the bowling in the absence of injured Hardik Pandya, played the supporting role while Varma showcased his composure, striking four sixes and three boundaries to keep India in control.
Despite Pakistan’s disciplined bowling, fielding lapses cost them dearly. Two catches went down, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris missed a straightforward run-out chance against Varma, who made them pay by steering India closer to victory.
With nine runs needed off the final over, Dube was dismissed, leaving the job unfinished. But Rinku Singh sealed the deal in style, smashing the first ball he faced for the winning boundary, sparking jubilant celebrations in the Indian camp.
Pakistan Collapse After Bright Start
Earlier in the evening, Pakistan seemed set for a strong total after openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman put on a solid 84-run partnership. Farhan top-scored with 57 off 38 balls, while Zaman made 46 off 35.
But once Farhan fell in the 10th over, Pakistan’s innings unraveled. From 113-2, they suffered a dramatic collapse, losing eight wickets for just 33 runs in the space of 38 deliveries, finishing at 146 all out in 19.1 overs.
For India, left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the star with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 30 runs. Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy chipped in with a wicket each, restricting Pakistan to a below-par total.
Individual Stars Shine in Asia Cup 2025
The tournament highlighted several standout performances for India. Abhishek Sharma finished as the leading run scorer with 314 runs, underlining his credentials as one of the brightest young stars in world cricket. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav’s tally of 17 wickets made him the leading wicket-taker of the competition.
Tilak Varma’s composed match-winning 69 not out in the final earned him the Player of the Match award, while his ability to anchor pressure situations has drawn comparisons with some of India’s finest middle-order batters of the past.
A Politically Charged Finale
The trophy controversy has overshadowed what should have been a moment of pure sporting triumph for India. This was the third India vs Pakistan clash in the 2025 Asia Cup, and each meeting brought its share of drama both on and off the pitch.
The decision to boycott the official trophy presentation is already being viewed as one of the boldest political statements made by a cricket team in recent memory. While the ACC has not issued a formal statement, insiders suggest tensions had been brewing throughout the tournament regarding the role of Pakistani officials in ACC leadership.
India’s Ninth Asia Cup Crown
Despite the chaos, the victory solidified India’s status as the most successful team in Asia Cup history, securing their ninth title. Under captain Suryakumar Yadav, India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating Pakistan twice and overcoming Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with relative ease.
The Asia Cup win also serves as a confidence booster ahead of India’s upcoming international commitments, including preparations for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
Conclusion: Varma the Hero, Politics Steal the Spotlight
The Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai had everything—thrilling cricket, individual brilliance, and controversy that stretched far beyond the boundary ropes. While Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 will be remembered as the defining performance that brought India the trophy, the team’s refusal to accept the silverware from Mohsin Naqvi ensured that politics and cricket once again collided in an India-Pakistan contest.
As fans debate the fallout, one thing is certain: this final will be remembered as much for its symbolism off the field as for the cricketing brilliance on it.