New Delhi, Sep 29 (NationPress) Shivam Dube's childhood coach Satish Sawant commended his pupil's outstanding performance against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, highlighting that the all-rounder exhibited a positive transformation in his game style. He also praised Tilak Varma for his crucial innings that led India to victory.

India faced challenges early on as opener Shubman Gill was dismissed for only 12 runs, leaving the score at 20/3 while chasing Pakistan's total of 146. However, Varma, along with Sanju Samson (24) and Dube (33), managed to maintain their composure and steer the team to success.

Sawant remarked that the match was highly competitive, with both teams displaying immense effort to secure the trophy. He observed that Pakistan seemed poised to set a substantial target, but Kuldeep Yadav's exceptional bowling altered the course of the game.

"First and foremost, congratulations to everyone on this triumph. It was a remarkable victory. The match was unpredictable, but the team that put in tremendous effort and played cohesively ultimately prevailed, thanks to their experience in overcoming challenges.

"Chasing that target on such a pitch was far from easy. Initially, judging by Pakistan's batting, I anticipated they could reach a 190-run total. However, Kuldeep's over, where he claimed three wickets, was pivotal. It brought us back into contention," Sawant told IANS.

He expressed admiration for Varma's mindset and performance, noting their effective partnerships with Samson and Dube. Sawant also highlighted the noticeable positive change in Dube's batting approach, appreciating how he handled the deliveries.

"Tilak's innings and his collaboration with Samson were exceptional. They managed to keep the run rate manageable, making the chase feasible. Once Tilak partnered with Shivam, runs began to flow as both batters showcased their ability to hit sixes.

"Shivam has indeed made a positive adjustment in his game style, now prioritizing singles and twos, responding adeptly to deliveries instead of rushing as he previously did. I see Tilak as the next Virat Kohli. Our middle order is secure for the next decade," he asserted.

Sawant further believes that the Indian team was fated to clinch the Asia Cup title, attributing it to their diligent efforts, stating, "The team's self-belief is robust, and management provides unwavering support. Players are performing freely, and our batting order has great depth. This victory was destined to occur."

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