Hardik Pandya’s health and availability for the Asia Cup closing towards Pakistan on Sunday will likely be assessed on match eve, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel instructed reporters after the ultimate Tremendous 4 recreation towards Sri Lanka.
Hardik left the sector clutching his hamstring after bowling the opening over, during which he picked the wicket of Kusal Mendis. India’s opening batter Abhishek Sharma had additionally left the sector throughout the recreation, however Morkel stated the left-hander was tremendous.
“Each of them struggled with cramps. We are going to assess Hardik tonight and tomorrow morning and take a name on that. Abhishek is okay,” Morkel stated.
In case Hardik misses the ultimate towards Pakistan, India’s crew stability could possibly be considerably disturbed, because the all-rounder, together with enjoying the finisher’s position with the bat, has doubled up because the second seamer.
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Although he hasn’t scored too many runs, particularly with the openers firing, Hardik’s 29-ball 38 was essential in India’s 41-run win over Bangladesh on Thursday.
The 31-year-old has scored 48 runs in 4 innings and picked 4 wickets within the ongoing competitors.
In Hardik’s absence, one in every of Arshdeep Singh or Harshit Rana might should step in, which is able to affect India’s batting depth. Furthermore, Arshdeep and Rana have been off-colour on this match, and went for 100 runs in eight overs between them towards Sri Lanka.
In the one different match they performed on this Asia Cup, towards Oman, Arshdeep and Rana had been taken for 62 runs in seven overs.
Although Morkel didn’t need to make excuses, the South African acknowledged that the dearth of recreation time might have negatively affected Arshdeep and Rana’s performances.
“The way in which these guys prepare, the hassle they put in coaching, we count on them to exit and ship each time,” he added.
Tempo spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Shivam Dube had been rested for the useless rubber towards the Lankans, and can return to the enjoying XI for the summit conflict.
Revealed on Sep 27, 2025