Tilak Varma’s 69* and Shivam Dube’s 33: India’s Wobbly Warriors Win Asia Cup 2025 Final with a Laugh!
By Raj the Cricket Nut, still chuckling at Tilak and Dube’s rescue act. Published: September 29, 2025, 12:45 AM IST
Cricket comedians, it’s now 12:45 AM IST on September 29, 2025, and the Dubai International Cricket Stadium just turned the Asia Cup 2025 Final into a wobbly waltz with a happy ending! India chased down Pakistan’s 146 with a nail-biting 150/5 in 19.4 overs, clinching their 9th title, and the heroes of this hilarious heist were Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube. Tilak’s unbeaten 69 off 53 (SR 130.19) was the anchor that steadied the ship after a top-order tumble, while Dube’s explosive 33 off 22 (SR 150.00) lit the fuse for the finish line. From 20/3 to a 5-wicket win, this duo turned a potential flop into a festive flop-fest. Grab your midnight chai and a chuckle as we unpack the bat-tastic bromance that sealed the deal!
The Setup: Chase Chaos and Captain’s Call
Suryakumar Yadav flipped the coin, won the toss, and bowled Pakistan out for 146, setting India a target of 150. The pitch? A spinner’s paradise with a dew twist, turning the chase into a comedy of errors early on. India’s XI was a rollercoaster ride: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakaravarthy. Hardik Pandya benched with a niggle, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana on standby, with Gautam Gambhir’s gang cheering from the dugout.
Pakistan’s attack: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed. Bench had Hasan Ali and Khushdil Shah, with Mike Hesson’s crew hoping for a miracle. Umpires Ahmad Shah Pakteen and Masudur Rahman, Raveendra Wimalasiri third-ump, Richie Richardson ref – all witnesses to the wobble. Weather? Clear skies, dew the unsung hero.
Tilak Varma’s 69*: The Unshakable Anchor
Tilak Varma, the quiet assassin from Hyderabad, stole the show with an unbeaten 69 off 53 balls (3 fours, 1 six, SR 130.19) – a knock so steady it could anchor a sinking ship or a sinking batting order! After India stumbled to 20/3 (Abhishek 5, SKY 15, Gill 12 out early), Tilak walked in at number four and turned the tide. He nurdled singles like a chess grandmaster, smashed a cheeky six off Abrar Ahmed, and rotated the strike with Rinku Singh (4* off 1, SR 400.00) to seal 150/5 in 19.4. His partnership with Samson (24 off 21) added 57, and with Dube, 60 more – a rescue act worthy of a superhero cape! Tournament stats? 189 runs, second-highest, proving he’s no fluke.
- Key Moment: 69* off 53 – from 20/3 to 150/5, Tilak’s the glue!
- Funny Bit: Outlasted the top three combined – talk about stealing the spotlight!
- Stat Standout: SR 130.19 – slow but steady wins the cup!
Shivam Dube’s 33: The Big-Hitting Band-Aid
Shivam Dube, the Mumbai muscle man, barged in at 77/4 and smashed 33 off 22 (1 four, 2 sixes, SR 150.00) like a kid let loose at a candy store! With India wobbling at 137/5 in 18.6, Dube’s cameo was the firecracker that lit the fuse. He lofted Faheem Ashraf for a six over long-on, swatted another over midwicket, and kept the scoreboard ticking – until Shaheen Afridi caught him off Faheem at 137/5. His 60-run stand with Tilak turned the chase from a crawl to a canter, proving he’s more than just a six-hitting sidekick. Tournament haul? 89 runs, 4 wickets – a true all-rounder’s giggle!
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilak Varma | 69* | 53 | 3 | 1 | 130.19 |
| Shivam Dube | 33 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 150.00 |
The Wobbly Win: From 20/3 to 150/5 Glory
India’s chase was a circus – 20/3 in 3.6 overs (Abhishek 5, SKY 15, Gill 12 out), then Samson’s 24 off 21 at 77/4. Tilak-Dube’s 60-run stand at 137/5 turned it around, Rinku’s 4* off 1 the cherry on top. Pakistan’s bowlers – Faheem 2/29, Shaheen 1/20 – fought, but dew and ducks (4 for Pak) tilted it. Final score: 150/5 in 19.4, 5-wicket win, 9th Asia Cup title. Buzz: Suryavanshi’s IPL debate, Manhas’s presidency – but Tilak-Dube’s heroics hog the limelight!
In the end, this final was a riot: wobbles, whacks, and wins. Tilak’s anchor, Dube’s boom – India’s Diwali delight! Your fave shot? Yell below!
