India National Cricket Team star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was absent in the latest video shared by the BCCI on social media after their thrilling super over victory over Sri Lanka in the final Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match on Friday (September 26) in Dubai.
This sparked speculations about whether Hardik Pandya left the India squad just before the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan on Sunday, September 28, in Dubai.
Hardik Pandya’s sudden exit sparks speculation ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 Final
The star all-rounder was present when the team arrived at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, but he was mysteriously absent in the post-match celebrations and the footage released by the BCCI on its official website.
Pandya’s sudden exit has sparked intense speculation, with fans questioning whether it was due to injury or personal reasons, as he bowled only one over and could face only three deliveries for just two runs against Sri Lanka in their last Super Four game on Friday.
Hardik Pandya sparks alarm with sudden exit from Asia Cup 2025 clash
Actually, the drama unfolded when Hardik Pandya stunned everyone by leaving the field unexpectedly during the Super Four clash. The all-rounder had started the match in perfect rhythm, opening the bowling and immediately dismissing Kusal Mendis with a sharp delivery caught by Shubman Gill at slip.
But after just one over, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav switched bowlers, and moments later Pandya walked off the field, leaving fans and commentators confused. There was no visible sign of injury while bowling, but he was seen holding his left hamstring as he left the field.
After Hardik’s sudden exit, Abhishek Sharma also left the field at one point, with substitutes Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma taking over the fielding duties against Sri Lanka. Now, Pandya’s exit left his availability for the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan in doubt.
Hardik Pandya struggles with cramps: Morne Morkel
However, India’s bowling coach later clarified to the media that Pandya was dealing with cramps, suggesting it wasn’t a serious injury, but the uncertainty over his fitness has certainly disturbed India’s preparations for the high-stakes final against Pakistan on Sunday.
Morne Morkel said at the post-match presentation, “So, both [Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya] of them struggled with cramps during the game. Hardik, I know we’ll see sort of tonight and tomorrow morning, and we’ll make a call on that. But both of them were just struggling with cramps during the game.”
Hardik Pandya’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign
Notably, Pandya didn’t get opportunities with the bat in the ongoing tournament, as the openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill are doing most of the job, but still he played an important role in India’s 41-run win over Bangladesh in the Super Four game.
His quick 38 runs off just 29 balls helped India maintain momentum in the match. So far in the Asia Cup 2025, the 31-year-old all-rounder has scored 48 runs in four innings and taken four wickets.
India will need Hardik in the big match against Pakistan, and the team management is sweating over his fitness, while his absence in the dressing room hints that he might have left for Mumbai.