Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised India’s national cricket team for winning the Asia Cup for the ninth time with a five-wicket triumph over Pakistan in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, referring to the country’s famous victory in Operation Sindoor.
India’s win was largely driven by their spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav leading a surprising turnaround on a two-paced field. From 113/1 in the 13th over, Pakistan collapsed to 146 all out in 19.1 overs, losing their last nine wickets for 33 runs.
Kuldeep, who let up 23 runs in his opening two overs, recovered to take four wickets for seven in his next two, including three scalps in a game-changing 17th over. He was supported by Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy, who each took two, with Jasprit Bumrah adding two at the end.
“#OperationSindoor on the game field. The outcome is the same: India wins! Congratulations to our cricketers,” Modi wrote on X shortly after their victory.
Set 147 to win, India trailed to 20/3 as Abhishek Sharma miscued Faheem Ashraf, skipper Suryakumar Yadav fell to Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shubman Gill mistimed another shot from Ashraf. But Tilak Varma stood tall. The left-hander spearheaded the chase with an unbeaten 69 off 51 balls, striking three fours and four sixes in a memorable performance.
Varma rebuilt with Sanju Samson (24) in a 57-run partnership before adding 60 with Shivam Dube (33), who was promoted in Hardik Pandya’s absence. Dube hit a magnificent six and a handful of boundaries before falling to Ashraf, but not before the pair swung the chase in India’s favour.
Home Minister Amit Shah also praised the squad, referencing in his post to India’s famous win in the recent military standoff with Pakistan, which nearly escalated into a war when India destroyed Pakistan’s terror infrastructure in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
“An incredible victory. Our boys’ ferocious energy blew up their competitors once more. “Bharat is destined to win no matter what field,” stated the Home Minister in his post on X.
Varma hit his fifty with a clean drive and held his cool as the asking price approached double figures. He hit Haris Rauf for six in the 18th over before Rinku Singh, facing his first ball, ended the job in style with a boundary over mid-on.
Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan’s quick 57 had propelled Pakistan to a solid start, but when Varun Chakaravarthy dismissed him after an 84-run opening stand with Fakhar Zaman, the innings crumbled. Reckless aerial shots and tight Indian bowling ensured no comeback.
Jasprit Bumrah returned to uproot Haris Rauf’s off stump, bringing back memories of the pair’s heated spat earlier in the tournament, before Mohammad Nawaz holed out to deep mid-wicket to bring Pakistan’s innings to a close at 150.
Read More
Asia Cup: Prior to Pakistan’s match in the final, India’s “fielding woes” are in the spotlight
Asia Cup: India defeats Bangladesh and advances to the final thanks to Abhishek and Kuldeep