Injury scare for India ahead of Asia Cup Final against Pakistan

The injuries cast a shadow over India's campaign, with both players being crucial members of the squad. Hardik Pandya left the field after bowling just the first over of the Sri Lankan innings, in which he took the wicket of Kusal Mendis . He did not return to the field for the remainder of the match, with Rinku Singh acting as his substitute fielder .

Tilak Varma also suffered a leg injury during the match. The incident occurred in the 18th over when he attempted to stop a ball hit by Dasun Shanaka, injuring his leg upon landing and requiring him to leave the field .

In a post-match press conference, Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel addressed the concerns, downplaying the severity of Pandya's condition. "Hardik had cramps, he will be assessed tonight and tomorrow morning, we'll then take a call on that," Morkel stated . He also mentioned that another player, Abhishek Sharma, had experienced a muscle strain but has since recovered .

With the final scheduled for Sunday in Dubai, the team management has opted for a strategy focused on recovery. Morkel confirmed that the Indian team will not hold any training session on Saturday . Emphasizing rest, ice baths, and sleep, the coach highlighted that "playing smart is going to be the key" for the quick turnaround .

The team now faces an anxious wait for the medical assessment results ahead of the title clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, where fitness could prove to be a decisive factor .