Why Vaibhav Suryavanshi Didn't Bat in the Super Over:
On November 21st, the first semi-final of the ACC Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 saw Bangladesh A take on India A. Hosted at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha, Bangladesh A secured a win in the super over. Both teams were locked at 194-6 after 20 overs.
In the super over that followed the draw, the captain of the India A team, Jitesh Sharma, did not send Vaibhav Suryavanshi to open. He chose to bat himself but failed, getting out in a daring attempt. He was aiming for a lap shot but Ripon Mondol bowled him with a yorker.
Subsequently, Ashutosh Sharma also exited without impacting the scoreboard, being caught off Jawad Abrar's delivery. The Indian team's run drought in the super over led to Bangladesh's eventual triumph.
Bangladesh, batting first, posted a formidable 194/6 thanks to Habibur Rahman Sohan's 65 runs. Responding, the Indian team tied the score on the last ball of their innings. They needed 16 off the final 6 balls, and Harsh Dubey scrapped together 3 runs on the last delivery to level the match. What unfolded afterward was nothing short of melodramatic.
Watch the video that triggered the super over between India and Bangladesh
Last Ball Drama Pushed the Game to a Super Over:
The excitement peaked when a significant error by Bangladesh A's wicketkeeper-captain Akbar Ali propelled the match into the super over. India required 4 runs off the last ball amidst complete pandemonium.
On the final ball, Rakibul Hasan pitched a full-length delivery outside off stump to Harsh Dubey, who miscued a shot towards long-on. Although earning two runs seemed daunting, both batsmen ran determinedly. The throw reached keeper Akbar Ali, who fumbled in his under-arm throw attempt to hit the stumps, missing completely and without a backup fielder, allowing the Indian pair to complete three runs, enforcing the super over.
Super Over: India's Major Blunder, Why Vaibhav Wasn't Sent:
In the super over, India's critical mistake involved poor selection of batsmen. Despite his stellar performance throughout the tournament, Vaibhav Suryavanshi wasn't sent to bat, which caused an uproar on social media. Jitesh Sharma and Ramandeep Singh opened, with Jitesh bowled by Ripon Mondol's first delivery. It was anticipated Vaibhav would follow, yet Ashutosh Sharma was sent in instead by team management.
The second ball, a full-length off-stump delivery from Ripon, was lofted by Ashutosh unsuccessfully, resulting in an easy catch for the extra-cover fielder and collapsing the Indian innings. Ripon emerged as a super over hero, claiming two wickets in two balls, leaving India A all out at 0/2. Later, captain Jitesh justified not sending Vaibhav and blamed himself for the loss.
Bangladesh's Own Super Over Hurdle:
Following India's scoreless super over, Yasir Ali and Zeeshan Alam stepped in for Bangladesh A. Suyash Sharma executed the super over delivery, immediately dismissing Yasir Ali. Momentarily, it felt as if India A could repeat Bangladesh A's fate, but Suyash's wide delivery to new batsman Akbar Ali gave Bangladesh the win. With this, Bangladesh advances to the finals on November 23rd.
India's defeat stemmed largely from poor bowling in the final overs. Bowlers leaked 50 runs in the last two overs, altering the match's trajectory. Naman Dhir of Mumbai Indians was hit for 28 runs in the 19th over while Vijaykumar Vaishakh conceded 22 runs in the final over, with major hits coming off SM Mehrob's bat.
Vaibhav's Spectacular Show:
Vaibhav Suryavanshi's batting brilliance saw him top the scoring chart of the tournament. He smashed 38 runs off just 15 balls at a striking rate of 253.33, which included 2 boundaries and 4 sixes, surpassing Pakistan's Maz Sadaqat with 212 runs in 3 matches. However, Maz still has a chance in the semi-finals against Sri Lanka. In support, Priyansh Arya contributed 44 runs off 23 balls, while captain Jitesh Sharma scored 33 runs in 23 balls.
Vaibhav's Performance in Asia Cup Rising Stars:
Vaibhav amassed 239 runs across four matches in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, with an impressive strike rate of 243.87. He has hit 20 boundaries and 22 sixes, leading the tournament's charts.
India A Playing XI:
Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Naman Dhir, Nehal Wadhera, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper/captain), Harsh Dubey, Ashutosh Sharma, Ramandeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vaishakh, Gurjapneet Singh, and Suyash Sharma.
Bangladesh A Playing XI:
Habibur Rahman Sohan, Zeeshan Alam, Jawad Abrar, Akbar Ali (wicketkeeper/captain), Mahidul Islam Ankon, Yasir Ali, SM Mehrob, Abu Hider Rony, Rakibul Hasan, Abdul Ghaffar Saqlain, and Ripon Mondol.
