Hardik Pandya will miss India’s crucial Asia Cup final against Pakistan on Sunday, September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Hardik Pandya exited the field after only one over in his most recent game against Sri Lanka.
Some unsubstantiated rumours suggested that the all-rounder would be ready for the final. However, he has been replaced by Rinku Singh, who will be playing his debut game in the continental competition.
Toss Update
India won the toss against Pakistan and Suryakumar Yadav had no hesitation in opting to bowl first. He hopes that his team will be able to continue the brand of cricket they have been playing thus far in the campaign. Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Salman Agha said that he is happy to bat first. He asserted that his team is looking forward to the game.
No Arshdeep despite Super Over heroics
Apart from Hardik missing out, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana had to make way for Shivam Dube and Jasprit Bumrah. Arshdeep’s exclusion is unfortunate after his heroics against Sri Lanka in the Super Over on Friday. Meanwhile, Pakistan entered the game with the same playing XI that defeated Bangladesh in the virtual semi-final clash on Thursday.
What did the captains say?
Suryakumar Yadav (India captain)
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. Unfortunately Hardik misses out due to a niggle, Arshdeep and Harshit also miss out. Bumrah, Dube and Rinku come in.
Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan captain)
Definitely happy to bat first. We are very excited and looking forward to this game. We haven’t played a perfect game and hopefully we play one today. Same side. We have been playing on these pitches for a while and it will play the same.
IND vs PAK, Final Playing 11s
India
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Pakistan
Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (C), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
India
