‘Chak De India’: Tilak Varma’s Heroics Earn Team ₹21 Crore From BCCI

DUBAI/NEW DELHI – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) celebrated India’s emphatic five-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, announcing a substantial reward for the victorious squad. Calling the win a powerful statement both on and off the field, the BCCI’s social media post read: “3 blows. 0 response. Asia Cup Champions. Message delivered. 21 crores prize money for the team and support staff.”

India’s five-wicket victory at the Dubai International Stadium not only secured their ninth Asia Cup title but also underscored the team’s dominance, having won all three encounters against Pakistan in the tournament—a fact the “3 blows. 0 response” remark highlighted.

The final was a tense affair that saw Pakistan start strongly, reaching 113/1 in 12.4 overs, only for India’s bowlers, spearheaded by Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket haul, to trigger a dramatic collapse and restrict the opponents to 146 all out.

Chasing the target, India struggled early as top-order batters Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma failed to fire. It was India’s rising star, Tilak Varma, who delivered an innings of poise and precision, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 69.

Varma described his match-winning effort as “one of the most special knocks” of his career. Reflecting on the high-pressure situation, with India reeling at 20/3, he said, “It was pressure. They (Pakistan) were bowling well. They were mixing the pace up. I was breathing and trying to stay calm.”

While Varma anchored the innings, stitching crucial stands of 57 with Sanju Samson (24) and 60 with Shivam Dube (33), it was Dube’s late assault of big sixes that sealed the win with two balls to spare. Tilak praised his teammates’ composure, adding, “Fantastic knock from Sanju Samson. The way Shivam Dube batted under pressure was important for the country.”

Varma attributed his success to preparation and flexibility, noting, “We have prepared for every position. You should be flexible. I was prepared to bat at any order and was backing my game.” He acknowledged working with ‘Gautam Gambhir’ sir on slower pitches.

In recognition of their hard work and composure, particularly in high-pressure situations, the BCCI announced a total prize money of ₹21 crore for the players and support staff.

With the victory, India reinforced its supremacy in the Asia Cup, adding a memorable chapter to the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, and leaving Tilak Varma to exclaim, “One of the most special knocks of my life. Chak De India.” (IANS)