Jai Ho! IND vs PAK Final: India Clinch Ninth Asia Cup Title, PM Modi Hails Win as ‘Operation Sindoor’
Jai Ho! IND vs PAK Final: India Clinch Ninth Asia Cup Title, PM Modi Hails Win as ‘Operation Sindoor’
Kuldeep Yadav’s fiery spell and Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 seal a 5-wicket triumph over Pakistan in Dubai.
Team India lifted their ninth Asia Cup title on Sunday, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by 5 wickets in a high-octane final. A stellar bowling performance by Kuldeep Yadav (4/30) and a composed, match-winning knock from Tilak Varma (69* off 47 balls) were the highlights of India’s victory at the Dubai International Stadium.
Chasing 147, India were reeling at 20 for 3 after early dismissals of Abhishek Sharma (5), Suryakumar Yadav (1), and Shubman Gill (12). But Tilak Varma steadied the innings with maturity, guiding India home alongside Rinku Singh (4*).
Earlier, Pakistan’s batting faltered after a promising start. Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) offered resistance, but frequent strikes from India’s bowlers derailed the innings. Kuldeep’s devastating 17th over saw him dismiss Salman Agha (8), Shaheen Afridi (0), and Faheem Ashraf (0) in quick succession. Jasprit Bumrah (2/23), Varun Chakravarthy (2/33), and Akshar Patel (2/24) chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, bowling Pakistan out for 146 in 19.1 overs.
Following the victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team in a special message on social media, writing: “Operation Sindoor on the field… The result was the same: India won.”
The jubilant Indian camp celebrated the triumph, with fans praising Varma’s maturity and Kuldeep’s clinical bowling. Meanwhile, a dejected Pakistan side, led by Salman Ali Agha, retreated straight to their dressing room after the loss.
