Bhubaneswar: India outclassed Pakistan in the Asia Cup final on Sunday thanks to a brilliant innings from Tilak Varma.
Tilak’s stellar 69 off 53 balls, showcasing composure and brilliance, anchored the chase after India lost early wickets. His partnership with Sanju Samson and later Shivam Dube, and a crucial six off Haris Rauf in the 20th over, steered the team past the finish line with two balls to spare.
The 22-year-old was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his match-winning knock.
Social media soon exploded with memes with posts, hailing ‘Operation Tilak’ on the cricket field. One excited fan, speaking to ANI, referred to Operation Sindoor and said: “Pehle humne Sindoor lagaya tha aur ab Tilak lagaya hai.”
The BCCI, which announced a prize money of ₹21 crore for the team’s unbeaten run in the tournament, also joined the chorus. “We saw the tweet of the Prime Minister. We are elated by that. It was Operation Sindoor earlier and now it is Operation Tilak. It is a befitting reply to all the nonsense activities done by some people from a hostile country…” said BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.
Check the posts here:
#WATCH | Delhi | India defeats Pakistan in #AsiaCupFinal | A fan of the Indian cricket team says, “Pehle humne Sindoor lagaya tha aur ab Tilak lagaya hai.” pic.twitter.com/2oqUmMTHQi
— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2025
Tilak Verma’s Instagram story with PM Narendra Modi’s post. 🇮🇳
– Operation Sindoor to Operation Tilak..!!!! pic.twitter.com/0R2mUs57qr
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) September 29, 2025
Well Played @TilakV9#AsiaCupFinal #asiacup2025final #OperationTilak pic.twitter.com/4rUB8UzCcI
— AMIT KUMAR (@AMITKUMAR271) September 28, 2025
Be it on the cricket field or the battlefield, India knows how to deliver.
What a statement win “Operation Tilak” executed perfectly in the finals! 🇮🇳🏏🔥
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) September 28, 2025