Asia Cup 2025 final star Tilak Varma returned home to a hero’s welcome in Hyderabad on Monday, after steering India to a record-extending ninth title with his match-winning knock against Pakistan. Crowds thronged Shamshabad Airport to greet the 21-year-old southpaw, who remained unbeaten on 69 during the high-pressure chase. As fans surrounded his car, chanting his name, Tilak waved through the sunroof, a moment that quickly went viral.
The Hyderabad cricketer was also felicitated on arrival by Telangana Sports Authority Chairman Shivsena Reddy and Managing Director Soni Bala Devi. Tilak’s elder brother, Tarun Varma, was among the proudest faces at the airport. “He played exceptionally well, and I am thrilled with his performance. It is challenging to play like that in a final, but I am very happy he delivered. When he was batting, I felt great. There was some pressure, but he said he could handle it. Everyone feels very happy and proud,” Tarun told reporters.
The final was a true test of nerves for Tilak. Walking in after India lost early wickets, he faced plenty of verbal volleys from Pakistan players. But instead of being rattled, he used the sledging as fuel. “I wanted my bat to do the talking. They were saying a lot of things, I just wanted to respond with my bat. Now they are not visible on the ground,” Tilak said in a BCCI.TV chat with teammate Shivam Dube.
Their 60-run partnership proved decisive as India sealed the chase with two balls to spare. Dube, who contributed 33, joked about their quiet response to Pakistan’s chatter: “I think my bat did the talking as well, they did not have much to say to me.”
For Tilak, the crowd’s energy inside the stadium was just as memorable as the win. “The chants of Vande Mataram in the stands gave me goosebumps. I just want to say Bharat Mata ki jai,” he added.
Dube also rose to the occasion in an unfamiliar role, bowling the first over in place of the injured Hardik Pandya and silencing doubts about his bowling. “There is a lot of hard work behind (my bowling) and prayers of Indian team supporters. Lot of support and confidence has been given by the management. It was a crucial game, I got a big opportunity. It was fun,” he said.
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