Doha, Qatar – In the wake of India A's dramatic semi-final loss to Bangladesh A in the ACC Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, captain Jitesh Sharma has taken full responsibility for the decision to exclude Vaibhav Suryavanshi from batting in the Super Over. The match, held on Friday at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium, saw India A fall short in the Super Over after a thrilling contest, with Bangladesh A advancing to the final.
The decision to not send in Suryavanshi, the tournament's leading run-scorer, raised eyebrows and sparked criticism from fans. Suryavanshi, a 14-year-old opening batter, had been in impressive form, showcasing his power-hitting abilities throughout the tournament. Instead, India A opted to field Jitesh Sharma, Ramandeep Singh, and Ashutosh Sharma. This decision backfired spectacularly as Jitesh Sharma was dismissed on the first ball, attempting a ramp shot, and Ashutosh Sharma followed quickly after, caught at cover. India A failed to score any runs, setting Bangladesh A a mere one-run target to win, which they achieved.
Following the match, Jitesh Sharma addressed the controversial decision during the post-match presentation. He stated that the choice was a collective one, involving both himself and the team management. Sharma explained that Suryavanshi and Priyansh Arya were considered "masters of the powerplay," while he, Ashutosh, and Ramandeep were deemed better suited for the "death overs," possessing the ability to hit "big shots at will". He maintained that the decision was based on what they perceived to be the highest percentage of success in that crucial situation.
"I think they (Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Priyansh Arya) are the masters of power play, but in the death, me, Ashu and Raman are the ones who can hit the big shots at will. So it was a team decision and my decision to go with whatever the high percentage is there," Jitesh said.
Sharma also took responsibility for his own performance, admitting that his dismissal at a crucial stage in the match was a turning point. He felt he should have guided the team to victory, acknowledging the loss as a learning experience for the entire squad. "I will take all responsibility, as a senior I should finish the game. It's about the learning, not the losing," Sharma stated.
Despite the disappointing result, Jitesh Sharma remained optimistic about the future of the young players in the team. He lauded their talent and potential, suggesting that they could go on to achieve great things for India in the future. He also acknowledged the quality of the opposition, praising SM Meherob's innings and Ripon Mondal's impressive 19th over bowling.
