Revealed: Why Hardik Pandya is not playing against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 final and who has replaced him?

In a massive blow for the India National Cricket Team, the superstar all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2025 final against the Pakistan National Cricket Team.

The India National Cricket Team and the Pakistan National Cricket Team are going head-to-head with each other in the Asia Cup final for the first time at the Dubai International Stadium

Hardik Pandya misses out all-important match against Pakistan

The premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya loves playing against Pakistan, and he has time and again showcased sensational performances against the Men In Green in T20Is as well as ODIs.

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However, Hardik Pandya will not be able to take the field in the Asia Cup 2025 final. The all-rounder had held his left hamstring and walked off the field after bowling the first over in India's previous Asia Cup 2025 match against Sri Lanka.

After that, he didn't return to take the field for the remainder of the innings. Speaking at the post-match press conference, bowling coach Morne Morkel provided a positive update, saying that he just had cramps.

However, it seems like there's more to it as Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the Asia Cup final. Speaking to Ravi Shastri at the toss, Suryakumar Yadav revealed that Hardik Pandya has a niggle and he will be replaced by Rinku Singh in the playing XI.

Also, he confirmed the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube to the team in place of Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.

"Unfortunately Hardik misses out due to a niggle. Bumrah, Dube, and Rinku come in," the India National Cricket Team skipper said at the toss.

Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav skips Asia Cup 2025 final photoshoot, leaves Salman Agha posing solo

The groundsmen have done a terrific job with the wickets - Suryakumar Yadav

India won the toss and chose to field first. Talking about this decision, the Indian captain said that the pitch is a good one for the match and will only get better under lights. He also showered rich praise on the ground staff of the Dubai International Stadium for making a good track for the high-voltage clash.

Suryakumar Yadav further said that they have been batting first very well, but thought that chasing in the final was the ideal decision. He also dismissed the hype surrounding the India vs Pakistan clash and emphasised playing the same brand of cricket that has brought them success in the competition. He said:

"We are looking to bowl first. It looks like a good wicket. The wicket gets better under lights. We have been batting well first but we would like to chase today.

"The groundsmen have done a terrific job with the wickets here and it will stay the same. The brand of cricket we have been playing for the last 5-6 games is pretty good and we would like to continue that."

India and Pakistan Playing XIs for Asia Cup 2025 final:

Pakistan (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

India (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