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Team India has suffered a massive setback, as Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the action-packed Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan. Sports Tak has learnt that Rinku Singh has been called in as Hardik Pandya's replacement in the India's squad for the high-voltage final, which is slated to be played on September 28 at the Dubai International stadium. Sports Tak learnt that Hardik picked up a niggle which became the reason behind his absence in the grand finale.
Hardik Pandya out of Asia Cup 2025 final vs Pakistan
An unexpected twist has unsettled the Indian camp right before the Asia Cup final, as two of the team's key performers Hardik Pandya and opener Abhishek Sharma, were forced to walk off the field during the Super Four match against Sri Lanka. Hardik Pandya left after bowling just one over, and Abhishek Sharma exited midway through the Sri Lankan innings, with their sudden departures raising concerns about their fitness ahead of the crucial match.
Earlier, on being asked India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel provided an update on the status of both Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma following their exits from the recent game.
“Both of them struggled with cramps during the game. Hardik will be assessed on Sunday Morning, and we’ll make a call on that. But both of them were just struggling with cramps during the game. Abhishek is fine,” Morkel earlier told reporters.
But it's clear now that Hardik is missing the key final.
Rinku Singh takes Hardik Pandya's place
Hardik Pandya's absence from the playing XI has forced India to make significant changes to its team combination for the match. Rinku Singh steps into the batting order, taking Hardik's place. Meanwhile, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Shivam Dube return to the side, replacing Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, respectively.
Hardik Pandya's performance in Asia Cup 2025
Hardik's performance in the Asia Cup 2025 has been mixed, with his batting form being a significant concern. Across the four innings he has played, Hardik has only managed to score 48 runs, struggling to accelerate with a strike rate of just 120.
However, his contribution with the ball has been crucial. Hardik has consistently served as one of India's two primary pacers, partnering Jasprit Bumrah to share the new ball in the powerplay and often returning to bowl at the death. In the six innings he has bowled, he has secured four wickets, though his economy rate stands relatively high at around 8.57.
Notably, India won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan.
India's 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 Chakaravarthy
Pakistan's 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
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