Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Nov 21: India A paid a heavy price for their inconsistency with both bat and ball, bowing out to Bangladesh A in a tense Super Over in the semifinals of the Rising Stars Asia Cup on Friday. Bangladesh A will now meet the winners of the Pakistan Shaheens–Sri Lanka A clash in Sunday’s final.
Defending 194 for six, Bangladesh watched their total being matched by India A, forcing a Super Over. However, India’s decision to send Jitesh Sharma, Ashutosh Sharma and Ramandeep Singh—despite explosive hitters Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Priyansh Arya being available—backfired. Ripon Mondol removed both Jitesh and Ashutosh for ducks, leaving India scoreless in the shootout.
Bangladesh lost Yasir Ali to the first ball of their Super Over, but advanced after Suyash Sharma bowled a wide that sealed the one run needed.
Earlier, India A seemed on track for a comfortable chase. Openers Suryavanshi (38 off 15) and Arya (44 off 23) exploded in the Powerplay, taking India to 50 in just 3.1 overs. Suryavanshi smashed Mondol and Meherob Hasan for towering hits, while Arya tore into the spinners Jishan Alam and Abu Hider.
But momentum dipped after both openers fell—Suryavanshi losing his bottom-hand grip while attempting a big shot, and Arya finding the deep fielder off Rakibul Hasan. Jitesh (33) and Nehal Wadhera (32 not out) revived India with a 52-run stand as the score moved to 150 for three in the 15th over.
Jitesh’s dismissal gave Bangladesh hope, and India’s lower middle order could not accelerate in the final overs. With 16 needed off the last over and 4 off the final ball, India managed to tie the match only due to a misjudgement by stumper Akbar Ali, whose failed attempt to break the stumps allowed a third run.
However, India were left ruing missed chances much earlier in the day. Bangladesh were restricted to 130 for six before Meherob Hasan (48 not out off 18) launched a stunning assault, hammering part-time spinner Naman Dhir for 28 runs in the 19th over. The final over added another 20 as Meherob and Akbar Ali (17 not out) lifted Bangladesh to 194—a total that proved decisive.