The India-A team faced a heartbreaking super-over defeat against Bangladesh-A in the semi-finals of the ACC Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025, held at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on November 21 (Friday). The credit for pushing the match into super over mainly goes to the opposition's lackluster fielding. However, the management's biggest blunder was not sending opening batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi to bat in the super over, a decision that cost them dearly.
In the super over, captain Jitesh Sharma attempted a ramp shot on the first delivery by fast bowler Ripon Mondol but got bowled. Soon after, on the next ball, Ashutosh Sharma tried for a big hit but ended up giving a catch at extra cover. Consequently, Bangladesh-A needed just one run to win, which they easily achieved with 5 balls to spare.
Read More: Why wasn't Vaibhav sent in the super over?
The decision to not send Vaibhav in the super over was bewildering because he had already smashed a rapid 38 runs off just 15 balls in the match. Vaibhav had scored 19 runs in the very first over of India’s innings. Jitesh Sharma, the captain, has now addressed the issue, stating it was a team management decision that he ultimately agreed with. Jitesh has taken full responsibility for the loss.
An important lesson for us: Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh Sharma commented post-match, 'It was a great game, a valuable lesson for us. I take full responsibility; as a senior, I should have seen the game through. Winning and losing are less important than learning. Who knows, one day these players might win the World Cup for India. They have talent, they just need experience.'
Jitesh further added, 'My dismissal was the turning point. I know how to handle myself in these situations. They bowled really well. Credit goes to whoever bowled the 19th over. We were in control for the full 20 overs, there’s no one to blame. It was a good contest.'
Regarding the decision for the super over, Jitesh Sharma said, 'Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Priyansh Arya are masters of the powerplay. But typically in the death overs, the responsibility to hit big lies with me, Ashutosh, and Ramandeep Singh. Hence, the decision on who bats in the super over was a team call, which I finally sanctioned. The left-handed Bangladeshi played exceptionally. Playing such shots under pressure is not easy. His future is bright as well.'
India A Playing XI:
Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Naman Dheer, Nehal Wadhera, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper/captain), Harsh Dubey, Ashutosh Sharma, Ramandeep Singh, Gurjapneet Singh, Vijaykumar Vaishak, and Suyash Sharma.
Bangladesh-A Playing XI:
Habibur Rahman Shohan, Zeeshan Alam, Javad Abrar, Akbar Ali (wicketkeeper/captain), Mahidul Islam Ankon, Yasir Ali, SM Meherob, Abu Hider Rony, Rakibul Hasan, Abdul Ghaffar Saqlain, and Ripon Mondol.
