The Asia Cup 2025 final is today in Dubai, and India will face Pakistan. This match is going to be exciting as always, but there is some tension for Team India.
Asia Cup 2025: Who will be in the center, who will be out?
Arshdeep Singh may be out, and Hardik Pandya’s injury has all eyes on him.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel said, “Both of them were just struggling with cramps during the game,” regarding Hardik.
In other words, Hardik bowled just one over in the Sri Lanka match and left the field. But the good news is that he will be fit for the final.
Speaking of Arshdeep, he and Harshit Rana didn’t impress much in the tournament. Therefore, the plan is to leave Arshdeep out with the return of Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah is India’s strength, and Shivam Dubey is also returning after rest. India has won four out of six matches in the tournament with the same playing XI, so the same strength will be seen in the final.
India’s Probable Playing XI
Now let’s move on to the playing XI. Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will open the innings. Abhishek has scored 300 runs so far, and Gill is also in form.
The middle order consists of captain Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel.
Surya’s form is a bit weak, but he was a match-winner in the first match against Pakistan, so hopefully he will return. Tilak and Sanju had a good partnership against Sri Lanka.
Bumrah will lead the bowling attack, with Hardik (if fit), Dube’s pace, and Axar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy in spin.
Morkel said, “Hardik, we will assess tonight and tomorrow morning and make a call on that.”
So if Hardik doesn’t play, Arshdeep or Harshit Rana could get a chance, but for now, everything seems normal.
Challenging Pakistan: India’s Unbeaten Record at Stake
Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf pair is dangerous, but India’s record is excellent. India hasn’t lost in a multinational tournament final since 2024 and hasn’t lost a single match in the last two major tournaments.
The team is confident after the Super Over win against Sri Lanka. The bowling coach also revealed that training is canceled today, focusing on recovery.
Players at the ICC Academy in Dubai have been asked to stay away from each other to maintain focus.
