Hyderabad, Sep 30 (NationPress) Indian cricketer Tilak Varma shared his thoughts on his remarkable performance in the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, emphasizing the need to stay composed under enormous pressure during the crucial chase. He reminded himself that he was not just representing himself, but 140 crore people.

Upon his return to Hyderabad on Monday, he was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd at Shamshabad Airport and later honored by Telangana Sports Authority Chairman Shivsena Reddy and Managing Director Soni Bala Devi.

"I felt a surge of pressure and nerves. My thoughts were racing. I told myself that everything I do should be for my country. If I fail under pressure, I am not only letting myself down but also 140 crore people. To honor that, I had to stay calm. Since childhood, I’ve learned to maintain my composure and execute my plans," Tilak stated during a press briefing on Tuesday.

In the decisive match, India faced significant setbacks early on as star players Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed quickly, leaving the team in a precarious situation. Varma, however, stepped up and played a brilliant innings of unbeaten 69, leading India to a five-wicket victory over their longstanding rivals, Pakistan, and securing their ninth Asia Cup title.

The left-handed batsman acknowledged the tense atmosphere, saying, "The loss of the first three wickets created immense pressure. As I was batting, I realized that one wrong shot could jeopardize my country's chances. I reminded myself to stay calm and stick to the basics without getting distracted during the match."

Tilak further highlighted that building partnerships was crucial for India’s comeback. "The pitch wasn’t easy for batting. We won by forming strong partnerships, which is a testament to India's resilience," he remarked, highlighting his match-winning partnership with Shivam Dube.

Commenting on the electrifying atmosphere of an India-Pakistan match, Tilak noted, "Pakistan often tries to unsettle players. There were many distractions while I was batting, but I prefer not to share them on camera. Such things happen in India-Pakistan encounters. We often exchange words during the game, but the true response lies in winning, and that’s exactly what I aimed to achieve."

In conclusion, Varma credited his coaches for their instrumental role in his journey. "At this point, people know me as Tilak Varma. But behind the scenes, Salam sir and Prithvi sir supported me immensely. I owe my success to my parents and my coaches," he concluded.