Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan showered praise on young batter Tilak Varma following his match-winning knock in the Asia Cup 2025 final match against Pakistan. The cricketer-turned-commentator backed Varma for a future leadership role despite Shubman Gill being groomed as captain for India.
Pakistan managed to score just 146 runs in the recently concluded final in Dubai on Sunday, September 28. Tilak Varma played a match-winning innings during the run chase. Varma scored an unbeaten 69 runs off 53 balls. The Men in Blue reached the target with five wickets in hand and two balls to spare.
Tilak Varma for Future Leader? – Irfan Pathan snubs Shubman Gill
After the final match between India and Pakistan, Irfan Pathan took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to say that Tilak Varma has the potential to take on a future leadership role in the team.
“Tilak Varma for future leader? Yes please. @TilakV9,” Pathan wrote.
Tilak came to the crease when India were in trouble at 10/2 during the third over of their chase. They further slipped to 20/3 after four overs, putting the team under pressure.
However, he showed remarkable composure in rescuing the team. The 22-year-old batter reached a half-century off 41 balls and continued his aggressive approach, smashing a crucial six off Haris Rauf in the final over to secure India’s victory.
Tilak Varma Was Playing An Anchor’s Role Only – Abhishek Nayar
During a discussion on Sony Sports, former India coach Abhishek Nayar lauded Tilak Varma for his match-winning innings in the final. Nayar said that Tilak showed awareness and smashed boundaries exactly when needed.
“The best thing was that it’s not like he was playing an anchor’s role only. At the right time, we were also discussing that a six or a four should be hit now, and at that time, he was listening to us and playing,” Nayar said.
Tilak Varma added a 57-run partnership with Sanju Samson, who scored 24 off 21 balls. He then joined Shivam Dube to put together a 60-run fifth-wicket stand. Rinku Singh smashed the winning run, remaining unbeaten on 4 off just one delivery.
Tilak Varma’s Stellar Contribution in Asia Cup 2025
Tilak Varma played a crucial role for Team India throughout the Asia Cup 2025. The 22-year-old made the most of every opportunity and finished as India’s second-highest run-scorer behind Abhishek Sharma.
Tilak scored 213 runs in six innings at an average of 71 and a strike rate of 131.48. The southpaw was the fourth-highest run-getter of the tournament. He scored an unbeaten 49 off 34 balls against Sri Lanka in the final Super Four match.
The left-hander has performed well in successful T20I chases, amassing 370 runs in 11 matches at an average of 92.50 and a strike rate of 134.54, including three half-centuries.
Overall, Tilak has played 32 T20Is, scoring 962 runs at an average of 53.44 and a strike rate of 149.14, including two centuries and four fifties. He scored both centuries during India’s South Africa tour last year.