India A's Asia Cup Rising Stars campaign ended in heartbreak on Friday as they crashed out in the semi-final against Bangladesh A following a disappointing Super Over performance.
While the narrow defeat itself drew attention, the bigger talking point after the match was the team's decision to keep their most in-form batter, 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, out of the Super Over lineup.
The surprise was amplified by how the Super Over unfolded. India sent captain Jitesh Sharma and Ashutosh Sharma to face Bangladesh pacer Ripon Mondol. But the plan backfired instantly. Jitesh fell on the very first ball while attempting a risky ramp shot, and Ashutosh perished two deliveries later by mistiming a lofted stroke into the hands of extra cover.
India ended their Super Over without scoring a single run, leaving Bangladesh with a target of just one.
While defending the meagre target, India briefly entertained hopes of a dramatic twist when Suyash Sharma dismissed Yasir Ali off the first ball. Another wicket could have forced a second Super Over. But the next delivery-a wide-ended India's chances, as wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma missed a quick stumping opportunity. The extra run handed Bangladesh the win and the ticket to the final.
Earlier in regulation play, both teams finished on 194/6, forcing the match into a Super Over. Suryavanshi had been one of India's brightest performers with a blistering 38 off just 15 balls, adding to the surprise around his exclusion from the decider.
After the match, captain Jitesh Sharma addressed the decision head-on. "They are masters of powerplay (Vaibhav and Priyansh Arya, who also didn't bat in the Super Over). But in the death overs Ashu (Ashutosh Sharma), Raman (Ramandeep Singh) and me are players who can hit at will. So it was team decision and my decision," he said, explaining the strategy to rely on the experienced hitters.
Jitesh also accepted responsibility for the loss. "I will take all responsibility, as a senior I should finish the game. It's about the learning, not the losing. My wicket was the turning point," he added.
While the defeat stings, the captain emphasised that the young squad-featuring rising stars like Suryavanshi-will only grow stronger with such experiences.
