India A Captain Jitesh Sharma Defends Super Over Batting Choice Amid Vaibhav Suryavanshi Snub
Jitesh Sharma explains why Vaibhav Suryavanshi wasn’t sent to bat in India A’s Super Over loss.
India A captain Jitesh Sharma has openly explained his decision to exclude Vaibhav Suryavanshi from batting in the Super Over during their Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 semifinal clash against Bangladesh A. Despite Suryavanshi’s brilliant form throughout the tournament with a rapid 38 off 15 balls in the main match, Sharma chose to trust Ashutosh Sharma and Ramandeep Singh for their experience in death overs. Jitesh emphasized that Vaibhav and Priyansh Arya excel during powerplay overs, while Ashutosh and Ramandeep are the preferred hitters in high-pressure death overs, and that the lineup decision was a team consensus with Jitesh himself making the final call.
India A’s campaign ended in dramatic fashion at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha as the team failed to score a run in the Super Over, losing to Bangladesh A who managed to seal victory with a wide ball from India’s leg-spinner Suyash Sharma. Bangladesh had earlier matched India’s 194-run total in the 20-over match, forcing the Super Over tie-breaker.
Taking full responsibility for the loss, Jitesh admitted post-match that he should have finished the game himself instead of getting out early, and described the experience as a vital learning opportunity for the young Indian side. He praised the emerging talents in the squad, predicting that some might go on to win World Cups for India, highlighting the value of gaining experience regardless of the defeat.
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The controversy surrounding the decision not to send Suryavanshi in the Super Over sparked widespread debate among fans and cricket analysts, given his dominant tournament performance and aggressive batting style. Jitesh’s detailed explanation sheds light on the strategic mindset that guided the team’s high-pressure decisions during cricket’s fine margins and critical moments.
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