Asia Cup 2025: How India's depth exposed Pakistan's fragility

Whenever India and Pakistan clash, it is not just a cricket match. It is theatre, emotion, history, and expectation rolled into one. The 2025 Asia Cup final, played at Dubai International Stadium on 28 September, carried more electric anticipation than most finals. It was the first time in the history of the Asia Cup that a final featured these two arch-rivals, making the occasion even more historic.

From the outset, many narratives were being written in advance.

• The pressure on both sides: For Pakistan, the longing to topple India in the tournament’s grandest match. For India, the duty to defend dominance, to withstand pressure, to avoid a choke in a high-stakes contest.

• The psychological narrative: India’s top order had been under scrutiny. Critics and rivals, especially Pakistan partisans and neutral detractors, were eager to see India’s top order crumble under pressure. Among them, Abhishek Sharma in particular had drawn attention, a rising star, but also someone whose consistency in crunch games would be tested.

• The match was also happening against a backdrop of political tensions between the two nations, which inevitably added layers of meaning to every run, wicket, and gesture on the field. Later in the post-match saga, India’s refusal to accept the trophy from Pakistan's ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi made headlines, underlining how charged the occasion was beyond the boundary ropes.

So, both teams walked into the final with burdens heavier than just 147 runs or 20 overs. Every fan, every analyst, every player knew there was extra weight on each action. And in such contests, the match often hinges not just on skill, but on temperament, character, and seizing moments.

Beyond Cricket: The Emotions, the Noise, and the Fear of “That One Bad Day”

So much was swirling around this India–Pakistan encounter even before the first ball was bowled. Pakistan’s players and fans had already made headlines, cribbing about the lack of post-match handshakes, indulging in on-field skirmishes, and letting abuses fly thick and fast during their earlier clash, despite being pelted all around the park. Such antics reflected more about their poor mentality than anything else, a set of cheap gestures that attempted to mask the gulf in quality.

With so much emotion, noise, and intensity surrounding the final, there was a very real fear for Indian fans: what if this was the day when everything went wrong? After all, painful memories were still fresh of having the only bad outing of a campaign at the worst possible time. Champions Trophy 2017, ODI World Cup 2023 — both had reminded us how finals can cruelly undo an otherwise dominant tournament.

And make no mistake, the players were every bit as aware of these fears as the fans were. They knew what was riding on this contest. They knew a single misstep could turn narratives upside down. To still hold their nerves, absorb the pressure, and carry the team through is what made this triumph so special. Tilak Verma’s composure, Sanju Samson’s clarity, and Shivam Dube’s fearless support stood out in particular. They did not just play cricket shots, they played them under the shadow of enormous pressure, and that makes their contributions all the more significant.

India’s Worst Start, Pakistan’s Best Start: Yet, the Outcome Remained the Same

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this final was how the game unfolded compared to expectations. For once, Pakistan had the perfect start. They dominated in both innings early on. India, by contrast, had their worst start with both bat and ball in the tournament. The critics’ wish seemed granted. Abhishek Sharma, who had been touted as a potential match-winner, fell cheaply. The top order looked fragile. Runs were hard to come by, and the scoreboard pressure loomed large.

When India took the field to bowl, things hardly improved. Pakistan’s openers came out firing, and for a while, it seemed like the dream script for every India-basher was playing out in front of their eyes. India’s bowlers looked flat, the fielding lacked sharpness, and momentum was firmly with Pakistan.

And yet, despite Pakistan playing their best cricket in both innings, despite India playing their worst cricket in the early exchanges, the result was the same as so many other contests in recent years: India stood tall as champions. That contrast speaks volumes about the gulf that exists between the two sides. For Pakistan to win, everything has to fall perfectly into place, and for India to lose, everything has to unravel. In Dubai, both those conditions aligned, yet still Pakistan could not cross the finish line. That is the real story of this final.

Tilak Verma: The Real Heir to Kohli’s Throne

Much has been written and spoken about Shubman Gill being the “next Virat Kohli.” Gill is undoubtedly special, all class, and capable of carrying the Indian batting forward for the next decade. But if there is someone who truly feels Kohli-esque, it is Tilak Verma.

In this final, Tilak showcased every quality that defines a great finisher in the top order. His innings was built on percentage cricket, not rash strokes. His match awareness was impeccable, his game sense top-notch. He knew exactly who to attack, how to attack, and where to attack. Just as importantly, he knew when to hold back, when to rotate the strike, when to play for time, and when to simply accumulate singles and doubles.

What makes Tilak stand out is not just his range of strokes, but the way he chooses them. He has the right mix of defense and aggression, and he adapts against pace, spin, swing, or bounce. On tricky surfaces, he digs deep. On flat pitches, he unfurls the big shots. On pressure occasions, he builds calmly. In short, he plays the situation rather than playing his ego. That is what has always set Kohli apart, and that is what Tilak seems to have inherited. With time and experience, he might even surpass his predecessors in terms of consistency and versatility.

The Unsung Heroes: Sanju, Shivam, and Rinku

While Tilak took the spotlight, this was not a one-man show. India’s chase in the final was secured through crucial contributions from Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and finally Rinku Singh.

Sanju, often criticized for flattering to deceive, showed clarity of thought. He understood his role, supported Tilak with maturity, and prevented panic from creeping in. His ability to pick gaps, run hard, and strike at the right time ensured that India never slipped too far behind the rate.

Shivam Dube’s role was equally important. Known more for his big-hitting prowess, Dube played a balanced hand, mixing aggression with calmness. He did not try to overhit, instead focusing on smart cricketing shots. By the time he was done, the equation had tilted decisively in India’s favour.

And then came Rinku Singh, who coolly lived out his already-manifested wish. In a Star Sports interview on 9 September, he had said he dreamed of hitting the winning runs in the final. Against Pakistan, in front of a packed Dubai stadium, that wish came true. His composure in that moment was a reminder of his temperament. He is built for these scenarios. He thrives in the final over, with the weight of the contest on his shoulders. For fans, it was a goosebumps moment, almost cinematic, to see him strike the decisive runs.

The Bowling Comeback: Character and Skill on Display

If the batting turnaround was impressive, the bowling comeback was nothing short of sensational. India’s attack had been swamped in the first half of Pakistan’s innings. The ball disappeared to all parts, the fielding looked unusually lax, and pressure mounted. Yet, as the overs ticked on, the bowlers regrouped.

Each member of the attack showed skill and character. They adjusted their lengths, varied their pace, and forced mistakes. The spinners pulled things back in the middle overs, while the pacers finished strongly at the death. What also stood out was the fielding. After an indifferent start, India tightened up, cutting off boundaries, building pressure, and taking sharp catches. It was the kind of turnaround that defines a champion side: the ability to absorb an opponent’s best punch and then hit back harder.

Leadership, Management, and the Team Culture

Behind every performance lies the environment created by leadership. Credit must go to the captain, the management, and the support staff. They have built a culture of freedom and clarity. Every player knows his role. Every player feels backed. Youngsters are trusted, seniors are respected, and the overall atmosphere is one of unity.

This clarity was evident in the way Tilak played his innings. It was evident in the calmness of Sanju and Shivam. It was evident in the refusal of the bowlers to give up when under the pump. When a team plays with this kind of belief, results often follow.

The Larger Picture: A Gap Too Wide to Ignore

In the end, this final reinforced what has been clear for years. Pakistan might have individual brilliance, they might have a few bursts of dominance, but as a unit they remain a level below India. For India to lose, everything has to go catastrophically wrong. For Pakistan to win, everything has to go perfectly right. In Dubai, we saw both conditions happen simultaneously, yet the outcome was unchanged. That is the real gulf.

For India, the Asia Cup 2025 victory was not just another trophy. It was a reaffirmation of depth, composure, and class. For Pakistan, it was another harsh reminder of how much work lies ahead.

Champions Once More, With Nerves of Steel

The 2025 Asia Cup final was everything fans expected in terms of intensity, noise, and drama. But in the end, it told a familiar story. India, even on their worst day, had enough depth and composure to overcome Pakistan on their best day. That is not arrogance, it is reality, a reality forged by years of investment in talent, culture, and clarity.

The names will be remembered. Tilak Verma, for his Kohli-esque innings. Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube, for their crucial support. Rinku Singh, for fulfilling his dream of striking the winning runs. The bowlers, for their remarkable fightback. The management, for building the environment that made it all possible.

For Pakistan, it will go down as yet another missed opportunity. For India, it will be remembered as yet another glorious triumph, a night when nerves of steel turned into gold.
And long may such (even bigger) victories and tournament triumphs continue in future too. Jai Ho!