Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane lauded Tilak Varma for the clarity throughout his match-winning knock in the 2025 Asia Cup final against Pakistan as well. He walked in to bat with Team India struggling at 10/2 in their run chase of 147. Yet, Tilak made valuable partnerships with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube and finished unbeaten on 69 from 53 deliveries, with three boundaries and four maximums as well.

Talking about him on his YouTube channel, Rahane said: “What an amazing knock. Finishing the game and winning it in the final was amazing. We have seen Tilak Varma scoring match-winning runs and big runs consistently for the Mumbai Indians on many occasions. More than the 69 he scored, his composure and calmness under pressure was amazing. His presence of mind and the way he assessed the conditions and the situation, rotating the strike, was so good to see from Tilak Varma. He knew which ball and bowler to attack.”

Ajinkya Rahane lauded Shivam Dube for constantly working on his fitness and bowling after his excellent all-round performance in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan as well.

“We all know Shivam can bowl. But personally, I’ve been watching him work really hard on his fitness and bowling since the last two or three years. He always likes to bowl in the nets, bowling those 6-7 overs with good intensity. With Hardik not playing, he had the responsibility of bowling with the new ball in the power play with Jasprit Bumrah,” said Rahane.

“The way he was running in and the intent to bowl those hard lengths was impressive. And his contribution to whatever the team has asked him to do, he has done it. Also with the bat, his useful contribution and partnership with Tilak Varma was amazing. The intent and composure, while choosing the right deliveries was amazing. We know Dube can hit those big sixes against the spinners. But bowling in the powerplay was slightly out of his comfort zone and he did that really well,” Ajinkya Rahane concluded.