Asia Cup 2025: Why is Hardik Pandya not included in India's playing XI for final against Pakistan?

Hardik Pandya was left out of India’s playing XI for the final of Asia Cup 2025 against Pakistan.

Indian Cricket Team and Pakistan Cricket Team are squaring off in Asia Cup 2025 final, which is underway at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 28. This is the first occasion when two arch-rivals are locking horns in the Asia Cup final.

Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl first in the encounter. He confirmed that India have made three changes to their XI, biggest one being of Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder along with Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana are not part of the playing XI.

Jasprit Bumrah, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh were inducted as replacements. On the other hand, Pakistan continued with the same playing XI as the last game.

Why is Hardik Pandya not included in India’s playing XI for final against Pakistan?

At the toss, Suryakumar revealed that Pandya was ruled out of the final due to a niggle.

“Unfortunately Hardik misses out due to a niggle, Arshdeep and Harshit also miss out. Bumrah, Dube and Rinku come in,” he said.

Notably, the Indian all-rounder suffered cramps during India’s last match of the ongoing tournament against Sri Lanka on Friday, September 26. After bowling one over in the match, Pandya went off the field and did not return to bowl in the game, which India won in the super over.

Pandya was part of the playing XI in all six previous games in the ongoing tournament. With the bat, he scored 48 runs in four innings with a top knock of 38 runs. With the ball, he clinched four wickets in six games at an economy of 8.57.

Meanwhile, Asia Cup 2025 final is the third clash between India and Pakistan in the ongoing tournament. Earlier, India defeated Pakistan in both games during the group stage and Super Four round. The Men in Blue have been unbeaten in the tournament so far, winning all six matches.

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