The first semi-final of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 tournament was played between India A and Bangladesh A at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium, Doha, on November 21, 2025.
The match proved to be an entertaining one as Bangladesh A was asked to bat first by India A captain Jitesh Sharma. Habibur Rahman Sohan made 65, and Jishan Alam made 26. When India A looked like it was bundling Bangladesh for cheap, SM Meherob Hasan smashed 48* in 16 balls with six sixes and one four to power his team to 194/6 in 20 overs.
India’s response saw Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashing 38 in 15 balls with four sixes and two fours, while Priyansh Arya made 44 in 23 balls, adding 53 runs for the first wicket in 3.4 overs. Jitesh Sharma made 33, while Nehal Wadhera made 32* as Bangladesh A managed to end the match in a tie, as India also finished on 194/6.
In the Super Over, India A surprised everyone when Vaibhav Sooryavanshi wasn’t sent in to bat. Instead, Jitesh Sharma and Ramandeep Singh opened for India. However, Ripon Mondal stunned everyone by not allowing India to score even one run by removing Jitesh and then Ashutosh Sharma in two balls.
Suyash Sharma tried his best by dismissing Yasir Ali on the first ball, but then his next ball was deemed a wide, and Bangladesh A moved into the final of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 tournament.
In the post-match presentation, India A captain Jitesh Sharma stated that the team management felt that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Priyansh Arya were more lethal in powerplay overs, while he and Ashutosh Sharma were more apt in death overs.
“In the team, Vaibhav and Priyansh are masters of the powerplay, while in the death overs, Ashu and Raman can hit at will. So, the Super Over lineup was a team decision, and I made the final call,” Jitesh said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
The decision of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not to come out to bat in the Super Over when India A needed it the most caused huge chaos on social media. Fans were furious over the decision and slammed the team management for the same.
Here are some of the posts:
