Asia Cup 2025: Hardik Pandya doubtful for IND vs PAK final; Morne Morkel shares key injury update

India's Hardik Pandya looked in discomfort and had to leave the field midway during the India versus Sri Lanka encounter of the Super Fours in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. Notably, he suffered a cramp while fielding, and could not take further part in the game where India won via a thrilling Super Over in Dubai. As a result, the star cricketer's availability for the upcoming final against Pakistan is in doubt.

India's bowling coach Morne Morkel shared an important update on Hardik's condition, citing that he will be assessed a day prior to the final. Notably, Abhishek Sharma also faced a similar cramp situation, but the degree of his discomfort was not as high as that Hardik's. Therefore, while the opening batter looks all good to take the field in the final, a call on Hardik will be taken only after the BCCI medical team undergoes an assessment on him.

“So both of them [Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma] struggled with cramp during the game. Hardik will be assessed till tomorrow morning, and then we will make a call on his situation. But both of them struggled with cramp during the game. Abhishek is fine,” the bowling coach said during the post-match presentation after the game on Friday.

No training for Pakistan clash, only recovery: Morkel

He also shared that none of the players will be engaging in any training session on Saturday, so that they can stay fresh and give themselves enough time to undergo recovery and enter the clash against arch-rivals Pakistan afresh.

“I don't think there will be any training tomorrow, so the key for the boys, they're already all in the ice bars and their recovery sort of started straight away after the game. The best way to recover is to sleep and to stay off your feet. So hopefully they can all get a good night's sleep tonight. When we wake up on Saturday, I'm pretty sure there will be an individual pool session organized and then from there, it's just getting a flush from the masseuses, getting massages and getting themselves mentally ready for a big battle on Sunday,” Morkel added.

Speaking of the summit clash of the competition, India and Pakistan will be going shoulder-to-shoulder against each other for the first time in a final in 41 years of Asia Cup history. The game will be hosted by the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 28. If India pull off a win, they will not only defend their title from 2023, but also extend their record of nine title wins at the marquee tournament. Pakistan, on the other hand, have a chance to lift their third Asia Cup title.