Why is Hardik Pandya not playing in the IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 Final?

India suffered a major setback as Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. He was seen holding his hamstring in the previous game against Sri Lanka and left the field after bowling just over in Sri Lanka’s run chase.

Although he managed to dismiss Kusal Mendis in the first over, his absence was felt by the team as the game went to the Super Over.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed that Hardik is down with niggle and has been replaced by Rinku Singh. “Unfortunately, Hardik is not playing as he has a niggle. We have included Rinku Singh in the team. Shivam Dube has come in with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana not part of the team,” Suryakumar Yadav said.

SKY decided to bowl first, considering the team’s track record in chasing in Dubai. Pakistan captain Salman Agha wanted to bat first, and he was happy with the result of the toss.

India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed