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Hardik Pandya Out of field - (Source : AFP)
On Friday, September 29, India locked horns against Sri Lanka in the last match of the Super Four of the Asia Cup 2025. It was a thrilling contest as the match went into a super-over, the first of the tournament. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side, batting first, put 202 runs on the board. In reply, Sri Lanka also finished the match with the same score on the board.
Notably, the Island Nation lost an early wicket after Hardik Pandya striked in the first over of the match. However, the star all-rounder didn't return for a second over, and the Sri Lankan batters took advantage of that move. Notably, Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka stitched a brilliant 127-run stand for the second wicket and took the match away from India.
The fans were left perplexed over Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy, and it led to a debate on social media as to why Hardik didn't return for his second over.
Why did Hardik Pandya bowl just 1 over in the match?
Notably, the usual pattern for SKY in this Asia Cup has been that he prefers Hardik to bowl the first two overs of the match and then come back for a third in the death overs. However, in today's game, Pandya only bowled a solitary over, which was the first over of the match, and despite taking a wicket, he didn't return to bowl, but why?
For the unversed, Hardik left the field right after the first over of the match and didn't return to the field. Substituted fielders Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma were present on the field for most of the match, which is why Suryakumar Yadav had no option but to utilise other bowlers to complete the 20 overs.
Further, the reason behind Pandya's absence from the field is unknown, and the management is yet to provide a reason for the matter. Further, the fans are concerned over an injury scare as India are all set to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup final on September 26, and India cannot afford not to have Hardik in that match.
