Tilak credits Samson and Dube after middle order trio rescues India in Asia Cup final against Pakistan: 'Fantastic knock'

Tilak Varma revealed that his objective was to “stay at the wicket and finish the game” after guiding India to a thrilling five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday with an unbeaten 69 off 53 deliveries. The southpaw display outstanding composure under immense pressure after India were reduced 20/3 in their chase of the 147-run target set by Pakistan, with the top-order batters departing cheaply on a wicket that was two-paced.

“It was pressure. They were bowling well. They were mixing the pace up. I was breathing and trying to stay calm. Fantastic knock from Samson. The way Dube batted under pressure was helpful and important for the country,” Tilak said during the post-match presentation ceremony after being named the ‘Player of the Final’.

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“We have prepared for every position. You should be flexible. I was prepared to bat at any position. I was backing my game. When the wickets are on the slower side, I have talked to Gauti sir and have worked hard. One of the most special knocks of my life. This is for all the Indians,” the 22-year-old added in the post-match chat.

Tilak steadied the ship for the Men in Blue by stitching valuable partnerships with Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33) that were worth 57 and 60 runs respectively, with the middle-order coming to the team’s rescue on the big occasion after staying relatively quiet throughout the tournament.

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The Mumbai Indians batter collected three fours and four sixes – which included a maximum off Haris Rauf in the final over of the chase. More importantly, he remained at the crease till the very end to ensure India got over the line without any last-minute drama in the epic contest that saw the match swing from one side to the other the entire evening.

‘I want to go from the first ball, no matter who’: Player of the Tournament Abhishek

It wasn’t an ideal evening for opener Abhishek Sharma, who had struck three consecutive half-centuries heading into the final and was the only batter to score 300 or more runs in the ongoing tournament, only to depart for just 5 off 6 balls after getting dismissed by all-rounder Faheem Ashraf in the second over of India’s chase.

The blip in the final, however, takes little away from what was a phenomenal tournament for the young opener, who was leagues ahead of the other batters in his maiden appearance in a multi-nation tournament. With 314 runs at an average of 44.85 and a strike rate of 200, Abhishek was adjudged the Player of the Tournament.

Abhishek beat left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav to the award, with the latter finishing as the leading wicket-taker by a fair distance with 17 wickets at an average and economy of 9.29 and 6.27 respectively.

“I mean, of course, getting into this team after winning the World Cup, it wasn’t easy for any opener. But if you see, we had a plan that we want to play a game, you know, that we have to show intent from the first ball. So that was my plan, I worked really hard on that. And if you’re playing like this, you need special support from your coach and captain. I think that was the one thing I was getting from them throughout the tournament, before this as well,” Abhishek said after India’s victory.

“So obviously, my plan was pretty much clear that, you know, if I do well, if I get that impact, and it’s for my team, my team should win. Of course, I mean, if you want to play something like this, sometimes you will fail, but you have to keep the process going. And, you know, and that’s what I was getting from my team as well.

“I mean, if you see that I had a plan, if I get spinners or pacers in the powerplay, I’m going to utilize that powerplay. Because if you see any bowler, even a fast bowler, any of the premium fast bowlers as well, I want to go from the first ball, no matter who’s the bowler. And obviously that’s going to make me give that impact to the team. And that’s what I want to do,” he added.

With their third victory in as many meetings against Pakistan, India extended their dominance over the Asia Cup by being crowned continental champions for the ninth time – winning the T20 version for the second time in three editions after winning the inaugural edition in 2016.