India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen hurling abuses at wicket-keeper Sanju Samson in the very first over of the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match against Pakistan.
This is the second time these two rivals are facing each other in this tournament, and the immense pressure seems to be getting to the players. A moment came during the match where Hardik lost his cool on his own teammate for a fielding lapse.
Hardik Pandya lost cool on Sanju Samson
Taking the new ball for India once again, Hardik created several early opportunities for his team. In his very first over, he nearly drew first blood for the Men in Blue, but a missed chance by Abhishek Sharma granted the batter a lifeline. Pandya appeared visibly frustrated by the dropped catch. On the very next ball, when Sahibzada Farhan pushed the ball into the outfield, Sanju Samson was seen collecting it far from the stumps. A visibly frustrated Pandya abused the wicket-keeper and gestured for him to move closer to the stumps in an attempt to get a run-out.
Watch the video here:
Earlier, India won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan. India made two changes to their playing XI as Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy walked in place of Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav, after winning the toss, said:
"We'll bowl first. Looks a nice track and yesterday there was dew. Since first round we were thinking we're playing a knockout tournament, nothing changes. That was a completely different wicket (in Abu Dhabi). Quite normal, just another game. Bumrah and Varun come back for Arshdeep and Harshit."
Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, after losing the toss, said:
"Would've bowled first as well. It's a new game, new challenge. The mood is very normal. Pitch looks to be on the slower side. Want to start well with both bat and ball. Two changes. Hasan Nawaz and Khushdil Shah not playing."
India's Playing XI
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
Pakistan's Playing XI
Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed