PM Modi hailed India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph over Pakistan, invoking Operation Sindoor, as Kuldeep Yadav’s spell and Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 sealed the win.
PM Modi (File Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked the memory of India’s success during Operation Sindoor while hailing the national cricket team’s efforts in clinching their ninth Asia Cup crown with a five-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in a pulsating final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
India’s win was built on a remarkable turnaround engineered by their spinners. On a tricky two-paced surface, Pakistan cruised at 113/1 in the 13th over before collapsing to 146 all out in just 19.1 overs, their last nine wickets tumbling for only 33 runs.
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Kuldeep Yadav, who had been expensive in his first two overs conceding 23 runs, roared back to change the game. The left-arm wrist spinner produced a breathtaking spell of four wickets for seven runs in his next two overs, including a triple strike in the decisive 17th over. He was well supported by Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy with two wickets apiece, while Jasprit Bumrah polished off the tail with two at the death.
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“#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers,” Modi posted on social media shortly after the final.
India overcame the early setbacks during the chase with Tilak Varma anchoring the ship after the top three departed cheaply. The young left-hander weathered the storm with a mature, unbeaten 69, decorated with three fours and four sixes, a knock destined to be remembered as a defining moment in his career.
Varma first steadied the chase with Sanju Samson (24) in a crucial 57-run partnership, before adding another 60 alongside Shivam Dube (33), promoted in the absence of the injured Hardik Pandya. Rinku Singh sealed the victory with a boundary.
Home Minister Amit Shah also saluted the team’s effort, drawing a parallel with India’s recent armed confrontation with Pakistan that escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack.
“A phenomenal victory. The fierce energy of our boys blew up the rivals again. Bharat is destined to win no matter which field,” he wrote on social media.
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