Tilak Varma refuses to call India’s Asia Cup win over Pakistan Operation Tilak

Young Tilak Varma played down the viral ‘Operation Tilak’ tagline that emerged on social media following India’s Asia Cup final triumph over Pakistan on Sunday, 28 September. Asked about the phrase, coined in celebration of his match-winning knock in Dubai, the 22-year-old batter pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already described it as ‘Operation Sindoor on the games field’.

At the same time, ‘Operation Tilak’ was trending on social media after the Mumbai Indians star hit an unbeaten 69 to help India successfully chase down 147 and outclass Pakistan for the third time in three weeks in the tournament. Pakistan applied pressure with early wickets, including those of in-form Abhishek Sharma, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill, leaving India reeling at 20 for 3. However, Tilak, through his partnerships with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube, rescued India from trouble and took them over the finish line in the big final.

Tilak, addressing a press conference in Hyderabad, said he was proud to have made the most of the opportunity that came his way in the Asia Cup final to make the nation proud.