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"No training": India's bowling coach confirms plans of skipping practice before Asia Cup final

Sakshi Sharma

Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya (Source:@ACCMedia1,x.com)Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya (Source:@ACCMedia1,x.com)

The Indian team, ahead of their blockbuster Asia Cup 2025 final clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, has decided to skip their training session scheduled for Saturday (September 27, 2025). The team has taken this decision after a draining Super Over victory against Sri Lanka in their final Super 4 encounter on Friday at the Dubai International Stadium.

It is important to mention that the Indian team management has prioritized rest and recovery over physical preparation for the team ahead of the final. The back-to-back matches have led the team’s medical and coaching staff to emphasize player freshness and injury prevention.

India opts to rest before high-stakes final

Speaking at the post-match press conference, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel explained the reason behind skipping the training and practice session. He also stated on India’s recovery protocols that include ice baths, pool therapy, massages, and the importance of quality sleep.

It is worth noting that during the nail-biting game against Sri Lanka, Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma were notably absent from the field for most of India’s bowling innings.

Morkel provided an update on their fitness, mentioning that Abhishek is recovering well, while Hardik’s condition will be assessed further on Saturday, and a further call will be made about his availability for the final.

"There will be individual pool sessions for the guys organised. Then some massages before they get mentally ready for the big battle on Sunday. It's a quick turnaround, and playing smart is going to be the key. There will certainly be no training," he added.

The final of Asia Cup 2025 marks the third meeting between India and Pakistan in this edition. The stakes are higher than ever for the final, and with the match being held in Dubai, a huge crowd is expected for another nerve-wracking contest.

India has remained unbeaten in the tournament so far, and their dramatic win over Sri Lanka would have definitely infused more momentum and confidence into the side. However, with fitness concerns over a couple of players could be a point of concern for the team ahead of the much-awaited final.