Abhishek fine, Hardik to be assessed on Saturday: Morkel

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Sunday - 28/09/2025 02:08

For the first time in 41 years, India and Pakistan will face each other in an Asia Cup final, setting the stage for a historic clash in Dubai. Over the past four decades, the two arch-rivals have met in 9 tournament finals, with India managing to secure just three victories.

ASIA CUP 2025

by Pratyush Sinha • Last updated on

Pandya left the field after bowling just one over, the first of the innings, while Abhishek fielded for 9.2 overs before going off the field © Getty

Both Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya were sidelined for significant portions of the second innings in Dubai due to cramps, India's bowling coach Morne Morkel revealed. While Abhishek seems to be doing fine, Hardik will be assessed on Saturday ahead of the Asia Cup final against Pakistan on Sunday.

"Hardik, I know we'll assess sort of tonight and tomorrow morning and we'll make a call on that. Abhishek is fine," Morkel said after India won the Super Over. "Both of them were just struggling with cramps."

Pandya left the field after bowling just one over, the first of the innings, while Abhishek fielded for 9.2 overs before going off the field.

Abhishek, who scored 61 off 31 balls and looked India's best batter again, did not come out to bat during the Super Over, with Shubman Gill walking out alongside captain Suryakumar Yadav to finish the job.

With a late finish to this Super Four match against Sri Lanka and a quick turnaround before the Sunday final, Morkel confirmed that there will be no training on Saturday. Pakistan, meanwhile, have scheduled a practice session on Saturday from 6-9 pm local time at the ICC Academy.

"The key for the boys is to rest," Morkel said of India's preparation for the big final. "They're already all in the ice baths and the recovery sort of started straight away after the game. And the best way to recover is sleep and to stay off your feet. So hopefully they can all get a good night's sleep tonight.

"When they wake up tomorrow, I'm pretty sure there will be a pool session, an individual pool session for the guys organized. And then from there, it's just getting a flush from the masseuses, getting massages, and getting themselves mentally ready for a big battle on Sunday.

"Like I said, it's a quick turnaround, so playing this smart is going to be key. But there will certainly be no training."