Dubai, Sep 27 (NationPress) The bowling coach of India, Morne Morkel, has alleviated worries regarding the injuries of Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma as the team gears up for the Asia Cup final against Pakistan this Sunday. Both players are under close observation after experiencing cramps during their match against Sri Lanka.

Hardik exited the field while holding his left hamstring after taking a wicket in his opening over, which saw him dismiss Kusal Mendis for a golden duck. He did not return for the remainder of the innings. “Hardik experienced cramps; he will be evaluated tonight and tomorrow morning, and then a decision will be made,” Morkel said during the post-match press briefing, echoing previous remarks made by India captain Suryakumar Yadav.

Similarly, Abhishek faced a scare when he grabbed his right thigh while running in the ninth over. He left the field shortly after and spent the rest of the innings receiving ice treatment and pickle juice to alleviate cramps. Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, and Tilak Varma stepped in as substitute fielders during various phases of the match.

With the game extending into a tense Super Over finish, the time for recovery before the final is minimal. Morkel emphasized that the primary focus on Saturday will be recovery. “The key for the boys is to rest. They are already in an ice bath. Recovery began immediately after the match. The best way to heal is to sleep and keep off your feet. We hope they can enjoy a good night’s sleep,” he stated.

“Individual pool sessions will be arranged for the players, followed by some massages to prepare them mentally for the crucial clash on Sunday. Given the quick turnaround, playing smart will be essential. There will be no training,” he added.

The bowling coach also addressed the criticism faced by young pacers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, who conceded 100 runs in eight overs against Sri Lanka before Arshdeep managed to hold his composure during the Super Over. “In our environment, we aim to move away from an excuse culture,” Morkel mentioned. “The effort they put in during training is what we expect them to deliver. While a lack of game time can be a factor, nothing compares to actual match experience.”

He reiterated that both players remain pivotal to India’s strategy. “Based on the quality of work we put in, we expect them to perform. While things may not be going their way at the moment, the team is winning, and they are all X-factor players and genuine match winners.”