Hardik Pandya Breaks Silence On Missing Asia Cup Final: ‘Gutted To Miss The Most Important…’ | Cricket News

India allrounder Hardik Pandya was expectedly disappointed at having missed “the most important game” of the Asia Cup 2025 as injury ruled him out from the final of the continental tournament against Pakistan last Sunday. Pandya had played in all six matches in the lead up to the title clash but left quadriceps injury meant he was replaced in the playing XI by Rinku Singh.

“I was very gutted to miss the most important game, but the way the boys played was outstanding. They showed a lot of character,” Pandya said in a video shared by the BCCI.

The summit clash turned out to be a close affair with India overhauling the target of 147 in 19.4 overs for a five-wicket win and secure a record-extending 9th Asia Cup title.

“These games are going to help us in the long run where we will be tested, we will be put under pressure. The way we held our nerves was fantastic,” Pandya said.

During the course of their winning campaign, India remained unbeaten and were only tested in a couple of fixtures.

“T20 cricket is about that, come and dominate, play a fearless brand, and at the same point of time learn and adapt, I think this team is learning that,” Pandya said.

One of the prime reasons for India’s dominant campaign was the form of opener Abhishek Sharma who scored over 300 runs at a strike-rate of 200.

“Outstanding effort by Abhishek from the top – the way he played and the fearlessness he showed, half of the game he won for us in the Power Play itself,” Pandya said.

Pandya took four wickets from six matches at an economy rate of 8.57 and shared the new ball with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

“I have always enjoyed any role that I am given, and this time I was handed over the new ball, which I really enjoyed. Batting has always been there, whenever the team requires, as that’s the way I like to bat,” he said.

“Bowling has been my No. 1 priority for a long time now, if Hardik Pandya bowls then batting is never a problem. I treat myself as a pure fast bowler and I have taken a lot of pride in that. It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of discipline, and it has been a constant which I really enjoy,” he added.