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India's head coach Gautam Gambhir unleashed an animated celebration after Varun Chakaravarthy sent Fakhar Zaman back to the hut during the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan on September 28.
Gambhir's Gambhir lets emotions loose after Chakaravarthy got rid off Fakhar
The action-packed Asia Cup 2025 final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday was a genuine see-saw battle, with intense tension clearly palpable in both dressing rooms. India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, maintained his trademark calm, sitting stoically beside his support staff with a poker face. In sharp contrast, his Pakistan counterpart, Mike Hesson, was visibly anxious, constantly pacing and holding discussions to strategize and plan the team's next move.
Gambhir finally broke his composed demeanor during the 15th over, a moment sparked by Varun Chakaravarthy ending Fakhar Zaman's quest for a fifty against India. The incident occurred on the fourth ball of the over. The left-handed Fakhar, just one boundary shy of his half-century, appeared desperate to reach the milestone and took on a wide delivery from Varun. Notably, on the previous ball, the spinner had delivered a similar wide ball that Fakhar had smashed for a towering six.
Undeterred, Varun stuck to his plan of bowling wide but intelligently adjusted his length on the decisive delivery, bowling it a touch fuller. Fakhar failed to get fully underneath the ball or hit it straight, resulting in a thick edge that flew directly towards Kuldeep Yadav at backward point. Kuldeep made an excellent effort, back-pedaling quickly to complete the crucial catch and seal the dismissal.
Gambhir celebrated the wicket aggressively, a reaction explained by the fact that Fakhar Zaman was a set batter whose dismissal was crucial for India. This celebration also carried weight due to history: eight years prior, it was Fakhar who had crushed the hopes of millions of Indian fans with his breathtaking century in the Champions Trophy final in London, a game Pakistan ultimately won.
Indian spinners tighten screw on Pakistan
Pakistan had gotten off to an impressive start after being put in to bat, as openers Fakhar and Sahinzada Farhan stitched together an 84-run stand in under ten overs, laying a strong foundation for a huge total. During this partnership, Farhan notably scored his third consecutive fifty against India in the tournament.
Pakistan bundled out for 146
However, the Indian spin trio, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel, quickly tightened the screws, picking up a flurry of wickets. The chinaman bowler, Kuldeep, was the pick of the attack, claiming a four-wicket haul, while Varun and Axar each secured two wickets. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah also contributed two wickets, as Pakistan’s innings dramatically collapsed, being folded for just 146 runs in 19.1 overs.
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