Chak de India! One of the most special knocks of my life: Tilak Varma

Dubai, Sep 29 (PTI) India batter Tilak Varma unsurprisingly termed his match-winning unbeaten 69 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final as one of the "most special knocks of his life." Tilak's half-century was the cornerstone of India's tight chase of 147 which eventuated in a five-wicket win here on Sunday.

"There was pressure. They were bowling well. They were mixing the pace up. I was breathing up and trying to stay calm. One of the most special knocks of my life. Chak De India," said Tilak during the post-match presentation ceremony which was delayed by over an hour.

Man of the match Tilak said he was backing his game in a tense situation as India were reeling at 10 for two when he walked in.

"We have prepared for every position. You should be flexible. I was prepared to bat at any order. I was backing my game.

"When the wickets are on the slower side, I have talked to Gauti sir and I have worked hard with him," he said.

The Hyderabadi also praised Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube for stitching crucial partnerships with him.

"Fantastic knock from Samson. The way Dube batted under pressure was important for the country," he said.

Abhihek Sharma was adjudged player of the tournament and the swashbuckling opener said he has worked very hard on his game in the last year or so.

"Getting into this team after winning the World Cup wasn't easy for any opener, I worked very hard on my game and you need the support of the coach and captain, I was getting that from the start of the tournament," he said.

"If I get a start, my team should win. Sometimes you are going to fail but you have to follow the process." Sharma detailed his batting approach in the power play.

"If I get the spinners in the power play I will try to use the power play, even for premium fast bowlers, I would go from the first ball no matter who's the bowler," he added.

Pakistan skipper Salman Agha said the defeat was a "bitter pill to swallow." "It is a tough pill to swallow right now. We lost wickets while batting, we were outstanding with the ball but didn't have enough runs on the board.

"We didn't rotate the strike and lost too many wickets. We have to sort out our batting very soon. They bowled outstandingly well," said Agha. PTI UNG AH AH