Jitesh Sharma Takes Full Blame for Benching Vaibhav Suryavanshi in Super Over
India A skipper Jitesh Sharma took full responsibility for the team’s defeat to Bangladesh in the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 semi-final, admitting the call to not send 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi for the Super Over was a collective misjudgment.
Despite being the tournament’s highest run-scorer and leading six-hitter, Suryavanshi was left in the dugout as India opted for Jitesh, Ramandeep Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. The move backfired spectacularly: Jitesh and Ashutosh were dismissed for golden ducks, and India were bowled out for 0 in the Super Over. Bangladesh pacer Ripon Mondal produced two perfect yorkers to seal India’s fate.
Speaking after the match, Jitesh said the management believed Suryavanshi was better suited to the powerplay.
“It was a team decision and my decision,” he said.
“They (Suryavanshi and Priyansh Arya) are masters of the powerplay, but at the death, me, Ashu and Raman are the ones who can hit at will.”
Jitesh, who made 33 off 23 at No.4 before falling at a crucial moment, said his dismissal changed the game.
“I take full responsibility. As a senior, I should have finished it. We were ahead throughout, but some of the younger guys felt the pressure in the final overs. They will learn.”
Bangladesh recovered from 130 for 6 to post 194 for 6, thanks to a blistering 48 off 18 from Meherob Hasan, including a 28-run over off Naman Dhir and another 20 in the final over.
India A started with a flourish as Suryavanshi (38 off 15) and Priyansh Arya (44 off 23) battered the new ball, taking India past 50 inside four overs. But wickets at key moments dragged the chase into the final ball, where a desperate scramble—helped by a misfield and a fumble from keeper Akbar Ali—took India to 194 and forced the Super Over.
The gamble that followed cost them a place in the final.
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