Asia Cup 2025: Why is Hardik Pandya not playing India vs Pakistan Final?

India will miss Hardik Pandya's services in the all-important Asia Cup final against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 28. In the last game against Sri Lanka, Hardik left the field after bowling just one over. He was seen holding his thigh before leaving the field.

Some unconfirmed reports emerged that the all-rounder will be fit in time for the final. However, that hasn't been the case as he has been replaced by Rinku Singh, who is set to play his first game in the continental competition.

Toss Update

India won the toss against Pakistan and Suryakumar Yadav had no hesitation in opting to bowl first. He hopes that his team will be able to continue the brand of cricket they have been playing thus far in the campaign. Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Salman Agha said that he is happy to bat first. He asserted that his team is looking forward to the game.

No Arshdeep despite Super Over heroics

Apart from Hardik missing out, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana had to make way for Shivam Dube and Jasprit Bumrah. Arshdeep's exclusion is unfortunate after his heroics against Sri Lanka in the Super Over on Friday. Meanwhile, Pakistan entered the game with the same playing XI that defeated Bangladesh in the virtual semi-final clash on Thursday.

What did the captains say?

Suryakumar Yadav (India captain)

We are looking to bowl first. It looks like a good wicket. The wicket gets better under lights. We have been batting well first but we would like to chase today. The groundsmen have done a terrific job with the wickets here and it will stay the same. The brand of cricket we have been playing for the last 5-6 games is pretty good and we would like to continue that. Unfortunately Hardik misses out due to a niggle, Arshdeep and Harshit also miss out. Bumrah, Dube and Rinku come in.

Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan captain)

Definitely happy to bat first. We are very excited and looking forward to this game. We haven't played a perfect game and hopefully we play one today. Same side. We have been playing on these pitches for a while and it will play the same.

IND vs PAK, Final Playing 11s

India

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Pakistan

Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (C), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.