India A crashed out of the Rising Stars Asia Cup after a dramatic and heartbreaking defeat to Bangladesh A in the first semi-final on Friday. The high-scoring contest, which saw both teams post 194 runs each in their 20 overs, was eventually decided in a tense Super Over where India faltered at the very first hurdle. Despite moments of brilliance, especially from young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi and opener Priyansh Arya, India A failed to cross the final line in what turned out to be a roller-coaster encounter.
Super Over collapse ends India’s campaign
India A’s choice to send Jitesh Sharma and Ramandeep Singh for the most crucial phase of the match raised eyebrows, especially after the explosive Suryavanshi was left unused.
The Super Over turned into a nightmare instantly. Bangladesh pacer Ripon Mondol bowled a perfect yorker to castle captain Jitesh Sharma on the very first delivery. The pressure intensified immediately, and the next ball saw Ashutosh Sharma—who came in after Ramandeep declined the strike—caught at extra cover by Zawad Abrar, ending India A’s over without a single run on the board.
With merely a tiny target to defend, India A handed the ball to Suyash Sharma, who gave the team a glimmer of hope by dismissing Yasir Ali on the first ball. However, the second delivery drifted down leg for a wide, instantly handing Bangladesh A the winning run and a place in the final. Even the possibility of a stumping chance could not have saved India, as the wide ball itself sealed the result.
Bangladesh A dominate with late surge
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh A were invited to bat and put up an impressive 194/6 in their 20 overs. Their innings received a massive late boost as they hammered 61 runs in the final 18 balls, taking the momentum decisively away from India A in the closing overs.
SM Meherob emerged as one of the standout performers with a blistering 48 off 18 balls, while Habibur Rahman Sohan built the innings skillfully with a solid 65 off 46 deliveries. India’s bowlers struggled with control during crucial moments, conceding 15 extras, which further strengthened Bangladesh A’s total.
Suryavanshi and Arya set the chase ablaze
India A began their chase in sensational fashion. The country’s latest cricketing prodigy, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, paired with Priyansh Arya to produce the fastest team fifty of the tournament, reaching the mark in just 19 balls.
Suryavanshi, who had already scored a 32-ball century earlier in the tournament, continued his fearless batting approach. He smashed two sixes off Ripon Mondol in the opening over and followed up with two more in the second over against off-spinner Meherob. His innings, full of intent and power, showcased the immense talent and temperament that have made him the talk of the tournament.
Arya joined the power-hitting efforts in the third over, taking Jishan Alam for back-to-back sixes and propelling India to 49/0. Suryavanshi’s boundary off the first ball of the fourth over brought up the fifty. However, his exhilarating knock ended shortly after as he was caught at long-on for a fiery 38 off 15 balls.
India fight back to force Super Over
Despite losing the early momentum, India A showed resilience through the middle overs. However, Bangladesh A seemed set for a comfortable win before a dramatic twist unfolded in the final over bowled by Rakibul Hasan.
With eight runs required off the last three balls, Ashutosh Sharma received a lifeline as he was dropped at long-on, resulting in a boundary that kept the chase alive. The pressure on Bangladesh mounted further, culminating in a chaotic final ball.
Harsh Dubey, facing a yorker-length delivery, drilled it down the ground. What followed was a sequence of fielding blunders—first a misfield, then a wild throw, and finally a missed run-out at the keeper’s end. India scampered three runs, tying the scores and forcing the game into a Super Over.
However, the dramatic comeback was short-lived, as India’s collapse in the tie-breaker cost them a place in the final.
Conclusion
India A’s semi-final exit will go down as one of the most dramatic matches of the Rising Stars Asia Cup. While young talents like Suryavanshi and Arya showcased exceptional potential, the team’s inability to hold their nerve during crucial moments proved costly. Bangladesh A now advance to the final, while India A are