Will India Triumph Against Pakistan in the Asia Cup Final Without Hardik Pandya?
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Synopsis
In a gripping encounter, India faces Pakistan in the Asia Cup final. With Hardik Pandya sidelined due to injury, Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube step up as India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, chooses to bowl first. Can India secure their ninth title amidst this thrilling rivalry? Tune in for expert insights and highlights!
Key Takeaways
- Hardik Pandya's absence is a significant loss for India.
- Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube have been called up to bolster the squad.
- The match marks a historic final between India and Pakistan after 41 years.
- India has previously defeated Pakistan twice in this tournament.
- Suryakumar Yadav's decision to bowl first reflects confidence in the pitch conditions.
Dubai, Sep 28 (NationPress) Hardik Pandya will sit out the thrilling Asia Cup final as Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube step in after India's captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl first against their fierce rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
This marks the first time in 41 years that these two teams are meeting in the Asia Cup final. This matchup occurs for the third time in the tournament, with India having previously defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in their Group A encounter and by six wickets in the Super Fours.
Concerns surrounded Hardik's participation in the final after he experienced cramps during the Super Over victory against Sri Lanka on Friday. He was notably absent from the team's warm-up, which poses a significant challenge for India as they pursue their ninth Asia Cup title.
In his absence, Dube will take on the new ball, while Rinku will be called upon to deliver in the final overs. “It appears to be a good wicket. The pitch performs better under lights. We've been proficient when batting first, but today we prefer to chase,” Suryakumar remarked.
“The ground staff has done a remarkable job with the pitches here, and they are expected to remain consistent. The style of cricket we've showcased over the last 5-6 games has been impressive, and we aim to maintain that,” he added after the toss.
Pakistan's captain Salman Agha expressed satisfaction with batting first. “We are thrilled and eager for this match. We have yet to play a flawless game and hope to achieve that today. We've become accustomed to these pitches, which should behave similarly,” he stated.
Interestingly, during the toss, Suryakumar conversed with Ravi Shastri after winning, while Salman spoke with Waqar Younis. It remains to be seen if this arrangement will continue for the post-match presentation.
Playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakaravarthy
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed
Point of View
My perspective remains that of a neutral observer, focused on delivering accurate and engaging coverage. The Asia Cup final is not just a sporting event; it’s a showcase of the rich rivalry between India and Pakistan. The absence of Hardik Pandya is unfortunate, yet it opens opportunities for other players to shine. Regardless of the outcome, the match will surely be a memorable chapter in cricket history.
NationPress
28/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Hardik Pandya not playing in the final?
Hardik Pandya is sidelined due to cramps he sustained during the Super Over against Sri Lanka, impacting his fitness for the match.
Who replaced Hardik Pandya in the squad?
Rinku Singh has been included in the squad to replace Hardik Pandya for the Asia Cup final against Pakistan.
What was the result of previous matches between India and Pakistan in this tournament?
India has previously defeated Pakistan in both their encounters in this tournament, winning by seven wickets in Group A and six wickets in the Super Fours.
What did Suryakumar Yadav say about the pitch conditions?
Suryakumar Yadav expressed confidence in the pitch, noting it gets better under lights and stating that they prefer to chase in this match.
Who are the captains of India and Pakistan?
Suryakumar Yadav is leading the Indian team, while Salman Agha captains the Pakistan team.
