Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya (Source: @BCCI/X.com)
It turned out to be a tense encounter in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 between India and Sri Lanka that went right down to the wire, as India prevailed in the super over. However, the difficult news came during the game when Indian players Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya were sidelined for most of the second innings due to fitness issues.
Morne Morkel confirms cramps for both Hardik and Abhishek
Both Indian superstars, opener Abhishek Sharma and all-rounder Hardik Pandya, struggled to field much during the second innings as they suffered from cramps on the field due to the intense heat in Dubai. The news was confirmed by Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel himself during the post-match press conference, as he gave insights about the recovery of both the superstars.
"Both of them struggled with cramps. Hardik, we will assess tonight and tomorrow morning and make a call. But both of them struggled with cramps. Abhishek is fine," Morkel said at the post-match press conference.
While Abhishek played a blistering 61-run knock off 31 deliveries with eight boundaries and two maximums, batting at a strike rate of 196.77, Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, could only manage two runs with the bat while with the ball, he only delivered a single over, that too the very first over of the second innings, where he only gave away seven runs and picked a crucial wicket of Kusal Mendis.
However, following this, he had issues, as he then walked off the field and never returned. Just like Abhishek, both of them were in the dressing room for much of the second innings.
"The key for the boys is to rest. 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," he said.
Regardless, Morne Morkel, while revealing the details, confirmed that both of them had cramps and Abhishek, as of now, is fine. Nevertheless, they will have to assess Hardik's fitness before the crucial game against Pakistan in the final of the multilateral tournament.
Recovery going well for both, reveals Morkel
Further speaking, Morkel was affirmative of the fact that sleep will help them recover alongside ice packs, as they will be able to gather their fitness back ahead of the crucial encounter.
"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," he concluded.
Morkel then went on to reveal that they will be getting massages alongside pool sessions as their recovery should be swift, considering they don't have much time before the finale against Pakistan on Sunday.
As for the game, it went into a super over, where India prevailed. Afterwards, they had only three runs on the board to chase in the super over, which they achieved on the very first delivery, having restricted Sri Lanka to the exact total of 202 in the second innings.
Interestingly, now India and Pakistan will face each other for the third time in this Asia Cup 2025, on the final on the 28th of September, Sunday, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where the stakes will be much higher.
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