India’s spin attack tore apart Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday, setting up a five-wicket win and a ninth title in the competition. While Kuldeep Yadav led the way with four wickets, fellow spinner Varun Chakravarthy also played a decisive role with figures of 2/30, including the prized wickets of openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman. Chakravarthy’s impact came during Pakistan’s sudden collapse, where the batting order fell apart after a strong 84-run opening stand. From 113/1, Pakistan were bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs, losing their last nine wickets for just 33 runs. Alongside Varun and Kuldeep, Axar Patel (2/26) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/25) also chipped in to put India in command. Chasing 147, India overcame early trouble at 20/3 thanks to Tilak Varma’s calm and unbeaten 69 off 53 balls. He made vital partnerships with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube (33 off 22), steering India to 150/5 with two balls to spare. It was India’s third victory over Pakistan in the tournament, having already beaten them in the league stage and Super Four. The post-match happenings, however, extended beyond the sport itself. With the Indian team refusing to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the celebrations carried on without the official silverware. Players humorously posed with imaginary trophies, even editing trophies into their pictures.
Varun Chakravarthy on Instagram (Screengrab)
Varun Chakravarthy took the creativity a step further. On Instagram, the 34-year-old shared a series of images that had fans in splits. Two of them showed him lying in bed with a mug in his arms, mimicking the way athletes often pose with trophies after major victories. In another post, he shared a close-up of the mug itself, symbolically presenting it as India’s Asia Cup prize. The lighthearted gesture quickly went viral, with fans praising Chakravarthy’s sense of humor and adding to the posts that ‘mocked’ the trophy controversy. His post became one of the standout reactions in a series of social media celebrations by Indian players after the historic win.
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Even without the actual trophy, India’s cricketers ensured the moment was unforgettable, and Chakravarthy’s mug post summed up the team’s decision to celebrate on their own terms.
