Asia Cup 2025: Why India skipped pre-final training

**Asia Cup 2025: Why Team India Skipped Pre-Final Training**

*By Parth Dhall | September 27, 2025 | 3:37 PM*

Ahead of the much-anticipated 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup final against Pakistan, Team India has decided to skip their scheduled training session on Saturday. This decision follows India’s thrilling victory over Sri Lanka in their last Super 4 clash, which was decided in a Super Over at the Dubai International Stadium.

**Prioritizing Rest and Recovery**

India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, explained that the team is prioritizing rest and recovery over physical preparation for the final. Speaking at the post-match conference, Morkel said the back-to-back matches have led the team’s medical and coaching staff to focus on recovery protocols.

“There will be individual pool sessions for the guys organized, followed by some massages to help them get mentally ready for the big battle on Sunday. It’s a quick turnaround, and playing smart will be key. There will certainly be no training,” Morkel added.

**Player Fitness Updates**

During the recent game against Sri Lanka, all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma were absent for most of India’s bowling innings due to cramps. Morkel provided an update on their fitness ahead of the final.

“Hardik’s condition will be assessed tonight and tomorrow morning before we make a call. Abhishek is fine. Both of them were just struggling with cramps,” he confirmed.

**Match Preview: India Eye Third Win Over Pakistan**

The 2025 T20 Asia Cup final will be the third encounter between India and Pakistan in this edition of the tournament. India has remained unbeaten throughout so far, and their dramatic victory over Sri Lanka has surely boosted the team’s momentum and confidence ahead of this crucial clash.

Pakistan’s only two defeats in six games have both come against India. Against this intense rivalry and amid ongoing political tensions, the two cricketing giants will lock horns once again in Dubai on September 28.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Asia Cup final approaches!
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/asia-cup-team-india-to-skip-training-session-before-final/story

Here’s why Arshdeep Singh bowled Super Over vs Sri Lanka

**Here’s Why Arshdeep Singh Bowled the Super Over vs Sri Lanka**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Sep 27, 2025 | 10:13 AM*

India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav has revealed the reason behind his decision to entrust Arshdeep Singh with bowling the Super Over in their final Asia Cup Super Four match against Sri Lanka. The move proved crucial as Arshdeep delivered an exceptional performance, restricting Sri Lanka to just two runs and taking two important wickets. This victory ensured India’s unbeaten streak remained intact, helping them progress to the tournament final.

### Match Analysis: A High-Scoring Thriller

Although the match was essentially a dead rubber, fans were treated to a high-scoring thriller. Both teams surpassed the 200-run mark, showcasing strong batting performances. Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka scored a brilliant century, but India’s middle order—particularly Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma—played vital innings to keep India in the hunt.

“It felt like a final and the boys showed a lot of character after the first half in the second innings,” Suryakumar Yadav remarked during the post-match presentation.

### Strategic Decision: Why Arshdeep?

Suryakumar explained his confidence in Arshdeep Singh by highlighting the bowler’s consistency over the years. “Arshdeep has delivered for us over the last 2-3 years. I told him to back his own plans and try to execute,” said Yadav.

He added, “He has been in that situation many times before and has performed really well for India as well as his IPL side.”

### Match Reflection from Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka praised Nissanka’s outstanding century and remained positive despite his team’s lackluster performance in the Super Four stage. “It was unbelievable batting from Nissanka. They have some extremely good bowlers, and it was splendid to see him bat with such an attacking approach,” Asalanka said.

He also acknowledged some positives despite the results: “We have been playing good cricket, but unfortunately, we could not win in the last two games.”

India’s tactical acumen and composure under pressure, epitomized by Arshdeep Singh’s Super Over heroics, were key factors in their continued dominance in the Asia Cup this year.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/asia-cup-suryakumar-reveals-why-he-chose-arshdeep-for-super-over/story

Asia Cup, India beat Sri Lanka in Super Over: Stats

Key Partnership Summary of India’s Innings

The Indian innings suffered an early setback with Shubman Gill getting dismissed cheaply. However, a crucial 59-run stand between Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav steadied the innings. At one stage, India were 92/3 when Sanju Samson joined Tilak Varma. The duo added a valuable 66 runs together. Varma remained unbeaten till the end and also stitched an unbeaten 40-run partnership with Axar Patel, helping India reach a competitive total of 202/5.

Bowling Analysis: A Tough Outing for Sri Lankan Bowlers

Sri Lanka’s bowlers did pose some threat during the innings. Five bowlers managed to take wickets, but none took more than one wicket each. Notably, none of the six bowlers used bowled at an economy rate below six runs per over.

– Maheesh Theekshana took 1/36 from 4 overs.
– Wanindu Hasaranga claimed 1/37 from his 4 overs.
– Dasun Shanaka and Charith Asalanka shared 4 overs between them, each picking up a wicket.

Sri Lanka: Comeback and Key Performances

Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis early, but Nissanka and Kusal Perera put on a commanding 127-run partnership that tested the Indian bowling attack. At one point, Sri Lanka was well ahead in the contest, but Perera’s dismissal allowed India back into the game.

Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis struggled and were dismissed cheaply. It was Shanaka’s unbeaten 22 from 11 balls that kept Sri Lanka in the hunt. Nissanka was dismissed in the 19th over, and Sri Lanka finished on 202/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Indian Bowling Performance

The Indian bowlers had mixed success.

– Hardik Pandya bowled just one over, picking 1 wicket for 7 runs.
– Arshdeep Singh was expensive, conceding 46 runs from his 4 overs and taking one wicket.
– Harshit Rana, who dismissed Nissanka, was also expensive, giving away 54 runs from 4 overs.
– Axar Patel was ineffective, going wicketless in his 3 overs.
– Kuldeep Yadav, one of the standout performers in the tournament, took 1/31 from his 4 overs.
– Varun Chakravarthy also bagged a wicket, finishing with 1/31 from 4 overs.

Super Over Summary

Sri Lanka batted first in the Super Over, which was bowled by Arshdeep Singh. Singh dismissed Kusal Perera on the very first ball and kept up the pressure. Shanaka struggled to score and was also dismissed cheaply. Sri Lanka managed only 2 runs in the Super Over (2/2).

Abhishek Sharma’s Stunning Form

Abhishek Sharma once again showcased his explosive batting, hammering a blazing 61 runs off just 31 balls. This marked his third consecutive fifty in the tournament, following impressive fifties against Pakistan and Bangladesh during the Super 4 stage.

According to Cricbuzz, Abhishek became the sixth Indian batter to score three consecutive 50-plus scores in T20I cricket. The Indian batters achieving this feat are:

– Virat Kohli (3 times)
– KL Rahul (2 times)
– Suryakumar Yadav (2 times)
– Rohit Sharma
– Shreyas Iyer
– Abhishek Sharma

Asia Cup Records and Milestones

Abhishek Sharma leads the charts with 309 runs in Asia Cup 2025 from six matches at an average of 51.50 and a phenomenal strike rate of 204.63. He is the first batter to score over 300 runs in a single T20 Asia Cup edition, surpassing Mohammad Rizwan’s 281 runs in 2022 and Virat Kohli’s 276 runs from the same year.

Abhishek Equals Rohit Sharma’s Record

Abhishek completed a 22-ball fifty in the match, marking his sixth fifty in T20Is off 25 or fewer balls, thereby equaling Rohit Sharma’s tally. Suryakumar Yadav holds the record for India with seven such fifties.

Impressive Stats

– This was Abhishek’s 5th fifty in T20Is (total centuries: 2).
– He has scored 844 runs in 23 T20I innings at an average of 38.36 and a strike rate over 197.
– Across T20 cricket overall, he has amassed 4,353 runs from 152 matches, including 25 fifties and 7 centuries, with over 400 fours to his name.

Tilak Varma’s Promising Knock

Tilak Varma was undefeated on 49 runs, hitting 4 fours and a six. He has accumulated 893 runs in 31 matches at an average of 49.61, striking at 150.84. In T20 cricket overall, Varma has scored 3,802 runs from 125 games, including two centuries and three fifties. He has hit 49 sixes, just one shy of hitting 50.

Sanju Samson’s Valuable Contribution

Sanju Samson scored a brisk 39 runs off 23 balls, including three sixes and a four. Playing his 48th T20I, Samson has totaled 969 runs at an average of 26.18 alongside 55 sixes in his T20I career.

Pathum Nissanka’s Maiden T20I Century

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka registered his maiden century in T20 Internationals, scoring 107 off 58 balls with 7 fours and 6 sixes. In his 74th T20I, Nissanka now has 2,211 runs at an average of 31.58 with 17 fifties.

In T20 cricket overall, he has accumulated 3,933 runs at an average of 29.13. This century was his second in T20s, alongside 28 fifties.

Nissanka Reaches 100 Sixes in T20s

According to ESPNcricinfo, Nissanka surpassed the milestone of 100 sixes in T20 cricket during this match. He now has 105 sixes overall, including 59 in T20Is for Sri Lanka.

Significant Milestones by Nissanka

– Fourth Sri Lankan batter to score a T20I century, joining Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Kusal Perera.
– Third batter in Men’s T20 Asia Cup history to score a hundred, following Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat and India’s Virat Kohli.
– First Sri Lankan batter to score a T20I century against India.

Kusal Perera Surpasses 5,000 Runs in T20 Cricket

Kusal Perera scored 58 runs off 32 balls, hitting 8 fours and a six. In his 88th T20I, he now has 2,276 runs at an average of 27.42 with 16 fifties and one hundred.

Versus India specifically, Perera has 392 runs from 13 matches at an average of 32.66, with this innings marking his fourth T20I fifty against India.

Overall in T20 cricket, Perera has surpassed 5,000 runs, accumulating 5,022 runs at an average of 25.71 with 25 fifties and 2 centuries.

Kuldeep Yadav’s Bowling Excellence

Kuldeep Yadav has been outstanding in Asia Cup 2025, picking up 13 wickets in 6 matches at an impressive average of 9.84 and an economy rate of 6.04. He currently has 82 wickets in 46 T20I matches at an average of 13.40.

Conclusion

The thrilling contest showcased stellar performances from key players on both sides. India’s batting depth and all-round efforts were well matched by the resilient Sri Lankan batting lineup. Individual milestones and records highlighted the quality and excitement of the match, adding to the rich history of T20 Asia Cup cricket.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/asia-cup-india-vs-sri-lanka-report-and-stats/story