Mumbai: Team India’s pulsating five-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final has not only etched another chapter in their storied rivalry but also ignited a frenzy of hilarious banter on social media.
With Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 anchoring a dramatic chase of 147, completed in 19.3 overs, fans turned the Green Shirts’ collapse into comedy gold, leaving keyboards smoking and timelines buzzing.
Pakistan’s fiery opener – an 84-run stand between Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) – had them cruising at 114/1 after 12.4 overs, eyeing 200. But a masterful spin assault from Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel, and Jasprit Bumrah triggered a tailspin, bundling them out for 146. Bumrah’s cheeky jet-plane celebration after clean-bowling Haris Rauf became an instant meme sensation, with users quipping, “Bumrah just grounded Pakistan’s fighter jet dreams!”
Enter Haris Rauf, the villain of the piece, who leaked 50 runs in 3.4 wicketless overs, tamed by Varma and Shivam Dube’s onslaught. Social media erupted: “Pakistan will ban Rauf for leaking more than their border security,” joked one user, while another predicted, “Rauf’s figures: 0/50 – perfect for a comedy award!”
The early Indian wobble at 20/3, claiming stars like Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav, only amplified the laughs, with memes hailing Varma as the “one-man army who turned tragedy to trophy.”
One viral post twisted the narrative: “Pakistan claims victory – they scored 146 in 19 overs, but India took 19.3! Moral win for us.” As India celebrates their ninth title, the online ribbing underscores the rivalry’s lighter side – where defeat fuels delight.