Aaryavir Sehwag, the India Under-19 opener and Player of the Tournament, has offered a vivid, behind-the-scenes account of the team's dramatic Asia Cup final triumph over Pakistan in Oman on Saturday, 15 November 2026 — revealing that he was chanting 'Sita Ram' on the sidelines, and that Pakistani fans in the stands were ironically cheering his name as India pulled off a stunning last-ball chase.

The Last Ball That Started it All

India needed a miracle with a bowler at the crease and three runs required off the final ball. Aaryavir, watching from the dugout after picking up an injury, could only pray — and Mohit Ulva delivered, dispatching a boundary to seal India's record-extending ninth U19 Asia Cup title. The scenes that followed were, by Aaryavir's own description, nothing short of pandemonium.

'I was chanting Sita Ram, Sita Ram, Sita Ram for an hour sitting on the sidelines. I was just hoping for some miracle, and then these guys started hitting and took it till the last over. A bowler on strike with three needed off the last ball, and I was like, I wish he hits a four or six, and he did! We all went crazy,' Aaryavir recalled during an emotional video call with his father.

Pakistani Fans Chanting 'Sehwag'

One of the most striking details from Aaryavir's account was the reception from the opposition's own supporters. With a stand full of Pakistani fans at the venue in Oman, and Aaryavir nursing his injury on the sidelines, the crowd reportedly began chanting his name — a moment he described with unmistakable delight.

'There was a stand full of Pakistanis, and everyone was shouting Sehwag, Sehwag — and even they were supporting us! It was so much fun!' he said. The anecdote underscores the cross-border affinity the Sehwag name commands, rooted in Virender Sehwag's storied international career.

A Tournament to Remember for Aaryavir

The 18-year-old was not merely a bystander in India's title run. In the final against Pakistan, he scored 58 off 61 balls and shared a 95-run opening stand with captain Lakshya Raichandani, who contributed 80, helping lay the foundation for India's successful chase of 339 in 50 overs — finishing at 339/9.

Across the tournament's five innings, Aaryavir amassed 361 runs at a remarkable average of 90.25, including one century and three half-centuries. His standout knock was a blistering 160 against the UAE; he also struck 51 in the semifinal against Afghanistan. The numbers earned him the Player of the Tournament award.

Virender Sehwag's Heartfelt Message

Former India opener Virender Sehwag shared the father-son conversation via an Instagram post, accompanying the video with a message that balanced pride with grounded counsel. 'Papa, I was so nervous… I was just chanting Sita Ram, Sita Ram!' Aaryavir had told him during the call.

Virender wrote: 'From winning Player of the Tournament to recalling those nail-biting final moments, a very special conversation with beta @aaryavirsehwag. Some moments are bigger than awards, runs and trophies. These are the memories a father will cherish forever. May you always keep your feet firmly on the ground and touch the skies with your hardwork and talent.'

India's Historic Ninth U19 Asia Cup

The victory consolidates India's dominance in age-group cricket in Asia, extending their record tally to nine U19 Asia Cup titles. This is the second time in recent memory that India have chased down a large total against Pakistan in a high-stakes final, reinforcing the pipeline of talent emerging from domestic age-group structures. All eyes will now turn to whether this generation can replicate its success at the ICC Under-19 World Cup.