Legendary Sunil Gavaskar showered praise on Tilak Varma for playing a match-winning knock in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday. Varma was the star of the show in India’s five-wicket win in the summit clash as he scored an unbeaten knock of 69 runs off just 53 balls.

The left-hander scored three fours and four sixes in his blistering knock. The youngster added a crucial partnership of 57 runs with Sanju Samson after India were left tottering at 20-3. After Samson was dismissed by Abrar Ahmed, Varma added another imperative stand of 60 runs with Shivam Dube. 

The southpaw delivered under pressure and was able to get India over the line in a tense match.

Sunil Gavaskar said on Sports Today, “He made every ball count for something. He was knocking it for singles at the start. He was running between the wickets and getting the circulation going in the legs. When you come into bat, the legs can be a little bit stiff if you are sitting in the change room for a while. That helps your footwork as well.

“What happens with the left-hand right-hand combination at the crease, when you keep taking singles, the opposition captain has to look at changing the field. The bowler has to look at changing his line and length. That eventually helps both the batters,” the former opening batter added.

Meanwhile, Varma was awarded Player of the Match for his splendid knock and he said he was trying to stay calm under pressure.

“It was pressure. They were bowling well. They were mixing the pace up. I was breathing and trying to stay calm. Fantastic knock from Samson. The way Dube batted under pressure was important for the country.”

India will next face the West Indies in two Test matches at home.