Hardik Pandya has been omitted from India’s playing XI for the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan.
The Indian and Pakistani cricket teams are facing off in the much-anticipated final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 28. This marks the first time the two arch-rivals are clashing in an Asia Cup final.
Hardik Pandya: Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first. He confirmed that India have made three changes to their XI, with the most notable being the exclusion of Hardik Pandya. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are also missing from the playing XI.
Jasprit Bumrah, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh have been brought in as replacements. Pakistan, meanwhile, have opted to stick with the same XI as their previous match.
Why is Hardik Pandya missing from India’s playing XI for the final against Pakistan?
The all-rounder had suffered cramps during India’s last match against Sri Lanka on Friday, September 26. After bowling just one over, Hardik Pandya had to leave the field and did not return to bowl in India’s super over win.
Hardik Pandya had been part of India’s playing XI in all six previous matches of the tournament. With the bat, he scored 48 runs in four innings, including a top score of 38. With the ball, he picked up four wickets in six games at an economy rate of 8.57.
The Asia Cup 2025 final marks the third encounter between India and Pakistan in the tournament. India had won both earlier clashes during the group stage.