India is facing pakistan in the ACC Asia Cup final 2025 in Dubai.
The Men in Blue are favorites but are missing all-rounder hardik pandya in the playing XI.
Reason for hardik Pandya’s Omission
Pandya played in India’s Super 4 match against sri lanka but left the field after bowling just one over.
His absence was notable since he is one of India’s main fast bowling options alongside Jasprit Bumrah.
At the toss, india captain suryakumar yadav confirmed:
“Hardik is out due to injury. Arshdeep and Harshit are also not playing. Jasprit Bumrah, shivam Dube, and Rinku have been included in the team.”
The injury ruled him out of the Asia Cup final playing XI, prompting a change.
Pandya’s Performance in the Tournament
Hardik Pandya is the world’s No. 1 t20 all-rounder in ICC rankings.
Played all six matches leading up to the final, batting in four innings and scoring 58 runs.
Shone with his bowling:
Four wickets in the tournament.
Maintained an economical bowling rate throughout.
Despite his limited runs, Pandya’s bowling has been a crucial asset for India.
Replacement in the Playing XI
Rinku Singh has been included in the playing XI in place of hardik Pandya.
India’s bowling options now include:
Jasprit Bumrah
Varun Chakravarthy
Kuldeep Yadav
Axar Patel
Shivam Dube
The team still has five bowlers, but loses a key all-rounder option.
India’s Asia Cup Final Playing XI
Batting & All-rounders: abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, suryakumar yadav, Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson, shivam Dube, Rinku Singh
Bowlers & Spin options: Axar Patel, kuldeep yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, varun Chakravarthy
India will rely on the remaining players to fill the gap left by hardik in the high-stakes final against Pakistan.
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