Former India spinner Maninder Singh delivered a scathing assessment of the India A team management on Friday after a puzzling tactical decision played a major role in the team’s elimination from the Rising Stars Asia Cup.
India A were knocked out in the semifinal against Bangladesh A in Doha, losing a chaotic Super Over — a collapse made even more perplexing by the fact that Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the tournament’s top run-scorer and leading six-hitter, never left the dugout.
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Maninder, visibly stunned during commentary, questioned the decision-making in real time.
“Still trying to think what the India A think-tank was doing,” Maninder was quoted as saying on commentary.
“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? The ship has already sailed,” Maninder asked as the cameras panned to coach Sunil Joshi, who was making notes.
How India A Lost To Bangladesh A?
Bangladesh A secured their spot in the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025/26 final after a thrilling semifinal in Doha, where Ripon Mondol delivered a flawless Super Over to defeat India A. Mondol’s incredible performance — conceding zero runs and taking two wickets — was the decisive factor in a match filled with dramatic swings and momentum shifts.
India A chose to bowl first, but Bangladesh A capitalised on the batting-friendly surface. Opener Habibur Rahman Sohan led the innings with a composed 65 off 46, supported by swift contributions from Jishan Alam and Zawad Abrar. India A fought back through spinners Harsh Dubey and Suyash Sharma, triggering a collapse from 108/2 to 130/6. Just when the momentum shifted, S M Meherob Hasan launched a stunning attack, scoring an unbeaten 48 off just 18 balls, including six towering sixes. Alongside Yasir Ali, he propelled Bangladesh A to an imposing 194/6.
India A started their chase explosively, with Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s blistering 38 off 15 setting the pace. Priyansh Arya maintained the scoreboard pressure, but regular wickets hindered progress. Despite needing 16 off the final over, a misfield on the last ball led to a tie and a Super Over.
In the Super Over, Mondol’s brilliance completely shut India A out. Bangladesh A required only one run to win and clinched a thrilling spot in the final, despite a brief scare.
(With inputs from Agencies)
