NEW DELHI: India suffered a massive setback ahead of the blockbuster Asia Cup 2025 final against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, with star all-rounder Hardik Pandya ruled out of the summit clash.Pandya, regarded as one of India’s biggest match-winners in pressure situations, has a proven track record against Pakistan and was central to the team’s strategy. His absence came after injury concerns surfaced during India’s Super Four clash with Sri Lanka on Friday. The all-rounder bowled the opening over, dismissed a batter, but walked off the field soon after and did not return.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speculation over his fitness grew stronger when, on matchday, Hardik entered the ground accompanied by the team physio, without spikes, and appeared to be moving gingerly. At the toss, skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirmed the worst fears.Also See: IND vs PAK Live Score Asia Cup 2025“Unfortunately, Hardik misses out due to a niggle,” Surya said, while announcing India’s decision to bowl first. He also confirmed that Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana were left out, with Jasprit Bumrah, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh drafted in. “The brand of cricket we have been playing for the last 5-6 games is pretty good, and we would like to continue that,” he added.The timing of Pandya’s injury is especially cruel, as the all-rounder was on the verge of creating history. With 98 wickets from 120 T20Is, he was just two scalps away from becoming only the second Indian bowler after Arshdeep Singh to claim 100 wickets in the format. In this Asia Cup, Pandya had taken four wickets in six games at an economy of 8.57.India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel had revealed on Saturday that both Pandya and opener Abhishek Sharma suffered cramps during the Sri Lanka game, assuring that Abhishek was fit but that Hardik would need further assessment.With Pandya missing, India lose a vital balance in both batting depth and seam-bowling options. India Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (w), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun ChakaravarthyPakistan Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
