Indian cricket has been rocked. India A was eliminated from the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 semi-finals after losing to Bangladesh A.
The match was tied, but a wrong decision in the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 Super Over changed everything.
India A benched their top run-scorer and biggest six-hitter, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Instead, they sent in captain Jitesh Sharma and Ashutosh Sharma. The result? The team was 4/0 in just two balls.
Jitesh played a risky lap shot and was out, then Ashutosh’s big swing was caught at cover. Bangladesh, needing just one run, choked on a wide from Suash Sharma.
The journey ended just like that. Fans and experts are wondering why Vaibhav was overlooked.
Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025: Why did the decision to bench Vaibhav Suryavanshi?
Vaibhav Suryavanshi had been a sensation throughout the tournament. He was the leading run-scorer and six-hitter. He was unstoppable under pressure.
But he didn’t get a chance in the Super Over. He wasn’t even sent to bat at No. 3 after the first opener was dismissed. This infuriated former KKR manager Makarand Waingankar.
He posted on X: “How on earth can IND A coach not send a cricketing atom bomb, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, to open in the Super Over against Bangladesh yesterday? Wasn’t even sent at 3 after the opener was dismissed first ball. Absolutely ridiculous. This needs to be investigated. It’s a serious lapse.”
Makarand questioned IND A coach Sunil Joshi, saying it was a major blunder that cost spot in the final. He demanded a serious investigation.
As a former KCA and BCA official, his anger seems justified. This news has spread throughout the cricket fraternity. Everyone is asking why the coach sidelined Vaibhav? Did the team management make the wrong call under pressure?
Former spinner also expressed his anger
From the commentary box, former Indian spinner Maninder Singh also attacked the team’s think tank. During the match, the camera focused on coach Sunil Joshi, who was taking notes in the dressing room.
Maninder said: “Still trying to think what the India A think tank was doing. 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.”
Hearing this statement, many are saying that ignoring a player like Vaibhav is a threat to youth cricket.
In the tournament, Vaibhav proved that he is a ‘cricket atom bomb’. Now pressure is mounting on the BCCI. Whether an investigation will be conducted or not, only time will tell.
But this defeat has taught Indian cricket a lesson: never to sideline talent. Vaibhav has a bright future, and he will make an even more explosive comeback next time.
