Tilak Varma was the hero of the Indian team, as he played a knock of a lifetime in the final of the Asia Cup 2025 against Pakistan, leading Men in Blue to their ninth Asia Cup title in Dubai on September 28. Furthermore, Tilak Varma played down the viral ‘Operation Tilak’ tagline that emerged on social media following India’s win.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously referred to it as "Operation Sindoor on the games field" when the 22-year-old hitter was questioned about the term, which was created in honor of his game-winning knock in Dubai.
After the Mumbai Indians player hit an undefeated 69 to help India successfully chase down 147 and outclass Pakistan for the third time in three weeks in the competition, the hashtag "Operation Tilak" went viral on social media.
He held the Indian chase of 147 runs together after Pakistan removed Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav for just 20 runs on the board. But Tilak added half-century partnerships with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube, and then hit Haris Rauf for multiple boundaries in the 18th and 20th over to take India to win by 5 wickets.
"First of all, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it Operation Sindoor, but to call it Operation Tilak is a huge thing. In sports, we represent our country. At the right moment and the right time, I got an opportunity. I am feeling so great that I have done something for my country,” Tilak was quoted as saying by India Today.
Tilak claimed that there were intense arguments during the final, implying that when India lost three early wickets, the Pakistani players had increased their ante and started sledging. But throughout the frantic chase, the 22-year-old chose not to get caught up in the action.
"There was tension. When we lost three wickets early, they tried to get more intense. I was batting in the middle. But, like I said, if I get drawn into all that and play a rash shot, it means I am letting my country down. I always think about winning matches. I was thinking about what I needed to do to win the match. I focused on not giving it back during the game. I let my bat do the talking.
A lot of things happened. I can't say all of that before the media. It happens, especially in India vs Pakistan matches. The real reply was winning the match. I wanted to do that. And I did that," he added.
Tilak remarked on how he managed his anxiety during the final and emphasized that his main goal was to make the nation proud.
"There was pressure. I was able to feel my nerves. But I always had the country in mind. The country is bigger than anything else. I was ready to give my life for the country. That was playing in my mind. I had to be calm under pressure because I was representing 1.4 billion people. I can't afford to let them down. All the basics that I have learnt from my childhood helped me," he said.
After major names had fallen early, Tilak steadied the innings with the poise of a player far beyond his years. He was happy to take a backseat to Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson, letting the two powerful batsmen dominate the middle overs.
"I am happy that I was able to contribute to India's success in the Asia Cup. But my bigger goal is the World Cup. I started liking cricket when I was watching the 2011 World Cup. I began professional cricket after that. I want to be part of the World Cup next year and help India win it. That's my ultimate goal," Tilak said.
Tilak will have some time with his family before India preps for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, starting later in October.
