India scripted yet another chapter in their enduring Asia Cup saga, defeating Pakistan in a thrilling finale at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The final, held on September 28, 2025, saw the two arch-rivals lock horns in a high-stakes T20 clash. India’s bowlers set the tone early, restricting Pakistan to a modest 146 all out in 19.1 overs. Despite a fighting half-century from Sahibzada Farhan, Pakistan couldn’t build enough partnerships to challenge the Indian chase. The tension remained until the final over, with every run crucial in the race to 147. Tilak Varma and Kuldeep Yadav were the standout performers for India in the summit clash.
Asia Cup 2025 final, IND vs PAK: Kuldeep Yadav spins India to the brink of victory
India’s premier spinner, Kuldeep, once again demonstrated his match-winning prowess, claiming four crucial wickets to dismantle Pakistan’s batting lineup. His subtle variations, turning the ball sharply and mixing flight with pace, consistently troubled the Pakistan batters. Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Shaheen Afridi all fell to his cunning deliveries, with Kuldeep extracting mistakes even under pressure. Beyond the wickets, his economy rate of 7.50 kept Pakistan from accelerating during the middle overs. The spinner’s timely breakthroughs ensured India never lost control despite Pakistan’s early partnerships. Tilak’s sharp fielding support complemented Kuldeep’s bowling, with catches taken at critical junctures.
His calm and composure under final-match pressure allowed India to remain in command. Kuldeep’s spell not only triggered Pakistan’s collapse from 126/4 to 146 all out but also set the platform for India’s batting charge. Each wicket he claimed amplified India’s momentum, energizing the team and the stadium. His ability to bowl in pressure moments made him the lynchpin of India’s defense. With his experience and tactical nous, Kuldeep consistently outfoxed batters attempting big shots. His variations on length, combined with deceptive flight, forced batsmen into errors.
Asia Cup 2025 final, IND vs PAK: Tilak Varma anchors India’s chase with composure
While Kuldeep’s spin wizardry set the tone, Tilak’s stellar batting performance sealed the final for India. Tilak, unbeaten on 69 off 53 balls, displayed a blend of elegance and aggression, striking three boundaries and four sixes. He navigated the early loss of Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav with remarkable calm, stabilizing the innings and setting up partnerships. Tilak’s footwork against spinners like Faheem Ashraf and Afridi was precise, allowing him to rotate strike effectively while punishing loose deliveries. His partnership with Sanju Samson, adding 50 runs for the fourth wicket, was crucial in keeping India on track during a tense chase.
Even under the pressure of a final, Tilak showcased remarkable temperament, balancing attack with caution. His calculated aggression ensured India didn’t fall behind the required run rate. In the death overs, he accelerated with confidence, guiding the team through tight spots and keeping nerves steady. Tilak’s running between the wickets displayed exceptional awareness, converting ones into twos and building momentum. Tilak’s composure inspired the team, enabling Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh to play freely around him. His unbeaten innings anchored India’s chase to 150/5 in 19.4 overs, ensuring victory with two balls to spare. Tilak’s role in the final reaffirmed him as India’s rising star in limited-overs cricket.
Also WATCH: IND vs PAK: Jasprit Bumrah stuns Haris Rauf with ‘plane’ send-off in Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai
Here’s how fans reacted:
Tilak on the forehead !!!
Jai Hind 🇮🇳— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) September 28, 2025
#OperationSindoor on the games field.
Outcome is the same – India wins!
Congrats to our cricketers.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 28, 2025
Wow !!! What a game. CONGRATULATIONS to Team India 🇮🇳 for winning the Asia Cup ! Thank you Tilak, Shivam & Kuldeep for this thrilling victory ❤️ Ting ! #indvspak2025
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) September 28, 2025
Tilak Varma just played a Virat Kohli–like knock against Pakistan, that too in a final. Calm, composed, and clutch under pressure,easily the best innings of his career so far!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 28, 2025
Kuldeep ka jalwa ❤️🇮🇳 @imkuldeep18 well done Champion
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 28, 2025
Well done India on a great nite ..under pressure a much better team with the ball and then with the bat .. These young boys are brilliant .. @bcci
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) September 28, 2025
Tilak has skills, technique and jazba to stay till the end against Pakistan in a big final. Much improved and very very consistent. 👏👏
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 28, 2025
Congratulations Team India for lifting the Asia Cup. We are proud of you. Special thanks to Tilak Varma (69 not out), Kuldeep Yadav (4/30) For Pakistan, the message is: Baap Baap Hi Rehta Hai #AsiaCupFinal @BCCI
— Rajat Sharma (@RajatSharmaLive) September 28, 2025
No tweets. Zero tweets on Tilak Varma so far. I don’t believe in jinx. But today I did. Today, you did it brother Tilak. You are my star. No matter where you play. Which team you play. Where we clash. You are a hero. Thanks a lot brother. I mean it. Thanks a lot @TilakV9.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) September 28, 2025
Hard-earned win for India. Pak fought well, but India’s depth in bowling and batting seeing the team through. Superb performances by Kuldeep, Tilak
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 28, 2025
With all due respect to a 🐐, Tilak channeled a Virat in this chase.
Held up one end, hitting a six every so often, and stitched partnerships. Solid stuff.
— Joe (@josephradhik) September 28, 2025
PAK: 146 (19.1 Ov)
IND: 150/5 (19.4 Ov)India won by 5 wkts 👉 https://t.co/CnJtvQqNS2#cricket #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/ZuiCntaPvR
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 28, 2025
