Mohit Ulwa has explained India's fiery celebrations after their dramatic one-wicket win over Pakistan in the U19 Asia Cup final. The last-ball hero insisted the players were not trying to taunt their rivals, but simply celebrating an emotional victory.India players were seen celebrating animatedly in front of Pakistan players. (ScreenGrab: SonyLIV) India's celebrations after their dramatic victory over Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup final were as animated as the contest itself.
There were arms raised, teammates sprinting across the field and players making their way towards the Pakistan camp as the emotions of a last-ball thriller spilled over. But Mohit Ulwa has now offered his perspective on what went into those celebrations, insisting there was no intention to taunt their opponents.Speaking on JioHotstar, the young batter said the occasion, the India-Pakistan rivalry and the emotions of a final naturally brought out an aggressive response from the Indian players.
He also dismissed the suggestion that the team was trying to rub its victory in Pakistan's face, explaining that they were simply celebrating what they had achieved."It's natural, you know. It was an India-Pakistan match, plus it was the final," Ulwa said.He added that the Indian players had not taken Pakistan's celebrations in their earlier group-stage meeting personally.
They had viewed them as a team enjoying its victory and felt there was no reason to be bothered by it. "We weren't doing it to show off to them or to rub it in. We just celebrated what we did well.
Whatever came out in that moment was just natural," he said.“Khatam hone ke baad believe nahi ho raha tha ki khatam kar diya hai!” India's U-19 star #MohitUlva on thrilling finish against Pakistan and reveals the emotions behind #TeamIndia's aggressive celebrations! https://t.co/O38k97ghtO— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 15, 2026EMOTIONS RUN HIGHThe celebrations came after one of the most extraordinary finishes in the tournament's history. India chased down a daunting target of 338, beating Pakistan by one wicket off the final delivery to reclaim the Under-19 Asia Cup title.
The final had swung repeatedly, with India looking in serious trouble at 252 for eight in the 42nd over. Pakistan appeared to have the contest under control, but Manal Chauhan and Ulwa produced a remarkable late recovery, putting together 57 runs for the ninth wicket.Manal contributed 47 off 32 deliveries before departing with India still needing 36 runs and just one wicket remaining.
Ulwa, meanwhile, kept his composure and found another partner in tailender C Venkata, who scored an unbeaten 11 off eight balls.The equation came down to eight runs from the final over, eventually leaving India needing three off the last delivery. Ulwa made no mistake, sending leg-spinner Ahmed Hussain's delivery wide of long-off for four to seal a stunning victory.His unbeaten 49 came off just 26 balls, an innings that turned a seemingly lost final into a memorable triumph.The Plan, The Belief & The Finish! #MohitUlva talks about how he and #ManalChauhan planned to finish the final over in India's thrilling win against Pakistan! #IndiaU19 #TeamIndia https://t.co/9KRzgRhTDF— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 15, 2026'I TOTALLY ZONED OUT'While the boundary triggered wild celebrations around him, Ulwa revealed that he initially struggled to process what had just happened.
Despite having the belief that he would finish the game, the reality of sealing such a high-stakes victory took a moment to sink in."Actually, after hitting that four on one ball with three runs needed, I totally zoned out. It happened, and I didn't even know that everyone had come running over, that everything was happening," he recalled.Ulwa said he had remained confident until the final delivery that he could take India across the line.
Once the ball crossed the boundary, however, he found himself momentarily disconnected from the celebrations unfolding around him."Until it ended, I had the belief that I would finish it. But after it ended, I couldn't believe that it had actually ended.
So, for a little while, I was zoned out," he said.It was only after looking around and realising that his teammates were lifting him up and celebrating that the magnitude of the moment began to register.A MOMENT TO SAVOUROnce the initial shock wore off, Ulwa joined in the celebrations and made his way towards the Indian supporters who had stayed throughout the contest. The batter said sharing the moment with them made the victory even more special."I went over to our supporters, the ones from India who had been sitting there the whole day, and celebrated with them.
It's a really great feeling. It's still a great feeling for me," he said.India's celebrations had been particularly expressive after the final boundary, with players rushing onto the field and gathering around Ulwa.
Some also celebrated in front of Pakistan wicketkeeper Hamza Zahoor, before the team continued its celebrations with the Indian supporters.For Ulwa, though, the moment was about what the team had achieved for itself, its families and the country."Pulling off a match like that for my family, for my country, for India, is bound to be a great feeling for anyone," he said.After a final that demanded extraordinary composure from India's lower order, the celebrations were an equally emotional release. Ulwa's explanation made clear that, in the heat of that moment, the players were simply caught up in the joy of a victory they had fought hard to secure.- Ends