Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to revisit and refine certain rules after the dramatic Super Over controversy during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash between India and Sri Lanka on September 26 in Dubai. The high-stakes match ended in a tie, pushing the contest into a Super Over where Sri Lanka batted first.
Kusal Perera departed early, leaving skipper Dasun Shanaka to take charge. Facing Arshdeep Singh, Shanaka swung at a fiery yorker outside off but failed to connect. The Indian pacer immediately appealed for a caught behind, and umpire Gazi Sohel raised his finger. What followed was pure chaos. Despite being adjudged out, Shanaka attempted a run.
Sanju Samson, sharp behind the stumps, threw down the stumps with a direct hit, seemingly ending Sri Lanka’s Super Over. But the laws of cricket intervened. Since Shanaka had already been declared caught behind, the ball was deemed dead under Law 20.1.1.3, rendering Samson’s brilliant effort irrelevant. Shanaka reviewed the decision, and UltraEdge confirmed no edge. The verdict was overturned, meaning the run-out did not stand, and he was allowed to continue.
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However, Shanaka’s lifeline was short-lived as he fell on the very next ball. Sri Lanka could only muster two runs, leaving India to seal victory off the first delivery of their chase.
Addressing the media post-match, Sanath Jayasuriya acknowledged that the rules had been applied correctly but stressed the need for clarity. “According to the rules, the first decision counts, not the second. Dasun reviewed and was given not out, but the run-out didn’t stand because the ball was dead. I think there are areas that need fine-tuning in the rules,” he explained.
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Another talking point was the absence of Pathum Nissanka, who had earlier stunned India with a magnificent 107 off 58 balls. Sanath Jayasuriya revealed that the opener was struggling with hamstring and groin niggles. “We didn’t want to risk him. That’s why we went with a left-right combination instead,” he said.
The controversy has sparked widespread debate, with many calling for the ICC to address such loopholes before future tournaments.
