The fallout from India A’s shock semi-final exit to Bangladesh A at the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 in Doha has been swift — and brutally focused. Head coach Sunil Joshi has found himself at the centre of the storm after a baffling Super Over call: overlooking tournament sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi when the match was on the line.
Suryavanshi, only 14, had carried India A through the group stage with a bat on fire. His 144 off 42 balls against the UAE — studded with 15 sixes — made him the tournament’s leading run-scorer and its most prolific six-hitter. Given that form, the decision not to send him out in the Super Over was puzzling to fans, commentators and former players alike.
When the group-stage thriller finished tied at 194 apiece, standard Super Over rules applied: each side nominates three batters and a bowler, with the over ending after two dismissals. India A went with Jitesh Sharma, Ramandeep Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. In a collapse that will be replayed repeatedly, both Jitesh and Ashutosh fell for golden ducks — bowled and caught at cover respectively — leaving India A scoreless in the Super Over.
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Bangladesh responded with a wide concession by Suyansh that handed them victory without a single legitimate run off the bat. The tactical omission of Suryavanshi — who had been the tournament’s electric force — immediately drew criticism. Former India spinner Maninder Singh put it bluntly in commentary: “Why didn’t they send Vaibhav Suryavanshi to bat in the Super Over?” His incredulity echoed a wider sense of bafflement across the cricketing community.
Captain Jitesh Sharma has accepted responsibility. “It was my decision — I take full responsibility,” he said after the loss, explaining that the management believed that he, Ashutosh and Ramandeep were better death-over hitters. He conceded, however, that the choice was a misstep and “a learning curve” for everyone involved.
“Why didn’t they send Vaibhav Suryavanshi to bat in the Super Over? Sunil Joshi, the India A head coach, what is he writing now?”https://t.co/s8rD2jg6RG
— News18 CricketNext (@cricketnext) November 22, 2025
For Sunil Joshi and the coaching staff, the scrutiny is unsurprising. Omitting the tournament’s standout batter in the highest-pressure moment highlights questions about decision-making and match awareness at a developmental level where tactical clarity is as important as raw talent. Critics argue that the Super Over calls for the hottest hitter — the player most likely to clear boundaries under pressure — and Suryavanshi fits that bill perfectly.
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Despite the controversy, the narrative around Suryavanshi remains overwhelmingly positive. His record-smashing knock against the UAE is the stuff of highlight reels and will keep selectors and franchises watching closely. The sting of the semi-final defeat may be a short-term setback for the youngster’s reputation, but his performance across the tournament established him as a genuine emerging force.
For India A, the episode is a cautionary tale: talent must be matched with tact. Bangladesh A progresses to face Pakistan A in Sunday’s final, while India A returns home with lessons about strategy, leadership and the unforgiving nature of cricket’s tiniest margins.
