The Dubai International Cricket Stadium turned into a cauldron of excitement on Sunday, September 28, as India and Pakistan are preparing for the Asia Cup 2025 T20I final. It is the third meeting between the two arch-rivals in the tournament, and while India entered with back-to-back wins over Pakistan in the group and Super Four stages, the stakes were far higher this time. Both sides are under immense pressure, the atmosphere was electric, and the biggest talking point after the toss is the surprising exclusion of Hardik Pandya from India’s playing XI. His absence immediately sparked debates about the balance of India’s squad in a title clash of such magnitude.
Asia Cup 2025 final, IND vs PAK: Reason behind Hardik Pandya’s absence
When captain Suryakumar Yadav walked out for the toss, he provided clarity on team selection. India won the toss and opted to bowl first, with Surya pointing out that the wicket was expected to play better under lights. But the big revelation came moments later, Hardik Pandya was ruled out due to a niggle he picked up in the previous match against Sri Lanka. This fitness setback meant India had to adjust their combination, bringing in Jasprit Bumrah, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh while also leaving out Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
“We will bowl first. It looks a good wicket. The wicket gets better under lights. The brand of cricket we have been playing for the last 5-6 games is pretty good. Unfortunately, Hardik misses out. Arshdeep and Harshit also miss out. Bumrah, Dube and Rinku come in,” Suryakumar explained at the toss.
Hardik’s absence is a double blow: India lose not only a middle-order power-hitter but also a sixth bowling option who thrives under pressure. His exclusion forces the team to depend heavily on Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel while also testing the utility of Dube’s all-round abilities.
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Asia Cup 2025: India’s historical edge vs Pakistan’s first final appearance
India will enter the clash as clear favourites, with a dominant head-to-head record in T20Is against Pakistan, 11 wins out of 15 encounters, including a dramatic bowl-out victory. This is India’s second Asia Cup T20I final, having won the title in 2016 against Bangladesh. For Pakistan, however, this marks a maiden Asia Cup T20I final appearance, adding both motivation and pressure.
Hardik’s unavailability, though, tilts the equation slightly. Known for his ability to break partnerships and launch a counterattack with the bat, he has often been the X-factor in Indo-Pak clashes. His absence hands Pakistan’s pace duo, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, an opportunity to exploit India’s middle-order fragility, which has looked vulnerable when early wickets fall. At the same time, India’s openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma remain the biggest threat, having dictated terms in both previous matches against Pakistan in this tournament.
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