)
Sport
In a major blow for India, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will not take part in the high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday.
Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube have been included as India skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first against arch-rivals Pakistan.
“Unfortunately Hardik misses out due to a niggle, Arshdeep and Harshit also miss out. Bumrah, Dube and Rinku come in,” said India captain Suryakumar Yadav at the toss.
Add Zee News as a Preferred Source
The two teams are clashing in the Asia Cup final for the first time in 41 years. Both sides are meeting for the third time in the tournament, with India beating Pakistan by seven wickets in their Group A match and by six wickets in the Super Fours meeting.
Hardik had been under doubt to play in the title clash after suffering from cramps during the Super Over win over Sri Lanka on Friday. Ahead of the title clash, he wasn’t seen warming up with the team and his non-involvement is a big blow to the Indian team chasing their ninth Asia Cup title.
His absence means Dube will be entrusted with the new ball, while Rinku would be required to apply finishing touches with the bat.
“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,” said Suryakumar after winning the toss.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha said he was definitely happy with batting first. “We are very excited and looking forward to this game. We haven’t played a perfect game and hopefully we play one today. We have been playing on these pitches for a while and it will play the same,” he said.
Interestingly, at toss time, Suryakumar spoke to Ravi Shastri after the coin fell in his favour, while Salman spoke to Waqar Younis.
Playing XIs Of India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Final
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakaravarthy
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news andworld News on Zee News.