Tilak produced a match-winning half-century in the gold medal match against Pakkistan.
India successfully defended their men's cricket title at the 2026 Asian Games in Nisshin, Japan, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by 19 runs in a high-octane gold medal clash on Saturday (October 3).
After choosing to bat first, India posted a commanding total of 211/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Explosive opening batter Abhishek Sharma set a fierce tone with a destructive 61 off 28 balls, featuring 7 sixes. Tilak Varma later provided the closing flourish with an unbeaten 51 off 22 balls*, taking the team past the 200-run mark.
Despite a valiant, solo rescue act from Hasan Nawaz—who smashed 96 off 51 balls—the Indian bowling unit held their nerve to restrict Pakistan to 192/6. India's spin duo of Axar Patel (2-29) and Washington Sundar (2-29) strangled Pakistan's middle order, while Shivam Dube (2-33) closed out the match by dismissing Nawaz on the final ball.
Following the triumph, star batter Tilak expressed his immense pride, describing the top-podium finish as a "very good feeling" while adding that defeating Pakistan in the final made the triumph even more special.
"It's a very good feeling because in the Asian Games, whenever we win, it's always a different feeling compared to the regular tournaments we play. It's a completely different feeling, and I had experienced this same feeling in 2023 in China. Winning again, especially against Pakistan as you said, is a very proud moment. So, it feels really great," Tilak told ANI.
When asked about managing the immense pressure cooker environment that accompanies an India-Pakistan finale, Tilak Varma credited his past experiences.
"Of course, who doesn't feel pressure in an India-Pakistan game? Pressure is always there, but I have already played against Pakistan in such situations before. I was in similar situations earlier and I used that experience. At the end of the day, the result came in our favour, so I am really grateful," he stated.
Tilak highlighted how distinct the atmosphere of a multi-sport podium finish feels compared to regular bilateral series or ICC tournaments.
"Like I said, the Asian Games gives you a completely different feeling because when our tricolour flies high and you are called up on the podium to receive the gold medal, it's a feeling unlike anything we usually experience when winning. So, it feels really great," he said.
Sharing the experience of playing cricket in Japan, Tilak Varma acknowledged that the pitch posed significant challenges, especially during the middle and death overs.
"Of course, it was a challenging pitch. Even today, the pitch was difficult, especially early on when the new ball was coming onto the bat well, but later on during the middle overs and death overs, batting wasn't easy. As everyone knows, there were big cracks, the ball was turning, and it was a proper bowler's pitch. But we are really proud that we set a target of 212. We were thinking anything close to 200 or slightly above 200 would seal the game, and we scored 212. So we already knew we could win the game, although Pakistan also played well and batted well, but we knew we would win this game," he remarked.
(With ANI Inputs)