NEW DELHI: An injury scare looms over the Indian camp ahead of the Asia Cup final on Sunday, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya and opener Abhishek Sharma suffering cramps during the last Super 4 match against Sri Lanka in Dubai on Friday.
After bowling the first over and getting a wicket of Kusal Mendis, Hardik left the field and never returned. Abhishek, who notched up his third straight fifty, left the ground in the 10th over.
Team India's bowling coach Morne Morkel provided an injury update, stating that Abhishek is doing fine, while a call on Hardik will be taken after further assessment.
"Both of them struggled with cramps during the game," Morkel told reporters.
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"Hardik will be assessed tonight and tomorrow morning, and we'll make a call on that. But both of them were just struggling with cramps during the game. Abhishek is fine," he said.
In a see-saw contest, India held their composure in the Super Over to keep their unbeaten run in the tournament. Morkel admitted the close finish served as a timely reminder for the side, which he felt has yet to deliver a truly clinical performance.
"I don't think in this tournament we've played the complete game," he admitted.
"After every game there are discussions on areas we'd like to improve. With batting, can we rotate strike better in tough conditions, run harder between the wickets, and protect partnerships? From a bowling perspective, we need to sharpen our lengths, accuracy and decision-making in the first 10 overs, and be smarter in using variations like the yorker during the middle phase.
"In the field, we've worked hard on catching under lights, so maybe it's just a confidence issue. Across departments, there's still work to be done. We are by no means the finished article, and we know that."
"The key for the boys is to rest," he said. "They're already in ice baths, and recovery started right after the match. The best way to recover is sleep and staying off your feet. There will be pool sessions and massages before they get mentally ready for Sunday's big battle. It's a quick turnaround, and playing smart is going to be the key. There will certainly be no training."