'What are these guys smoking?': India A blasted for not sending Vaibhav Suryavanshi in Super Over vs Bangladesh A

Following India A's dramatic defeat to Bangladesh A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars semifinal, which was decided by a Super Over, questions arose regarding the team's selection for the tiebreaker. Specifically, many critics questioned why the hard-hitting batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi was not sent out to bat during the crucial Super Over. Among those who reacted with disbelief at India's strategic decision was former India and Karnataka cricketer, Dodda Ganesh.

Dodda Ganesh questions India A's batting tactics in Super Over drama against Bangladesh A

“Not sending Vaibhav Suryavamshi to bat in the Super over? What are these guys smoking? #AsiaCup,” Ganesh's wrote on X.

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India A's brainfade moment in Super Over

Eyebrows were immediately raised at the start of India A's Super Over innings when Jitesh Sharma and Ramandeep Singh walked out to bat, leaving the hard-hitting Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the dugout. This decision quickly proved costly when Bangladesh A bowler Ripon Mondol castled captain Jitesh Sharma with a sharp yorker on the very first ball. India then sent Ashutosh Sharma to the crease, but he was caught by Zawad Abrar in the extra cover region, resulting in India posting zero runs in the Super Over.

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Bangladesh have the last laugh against India A for final berth

Needing just one run to win, Bangladesh A looked set for an easy victory. However, India almost pulled off a miracle when Suyash Sharma took the wicket of Yasir Ali on the first ball of the Super Over. The drama was short-lived, as Suyash unfortunately bowled a wide on the very next delivery. This anticlimactic ending handed the victory to Bangladesh, who moved on to the final.

Despite the narrow defeat, the primary narrative emerging from the match revolved around the team's strategic blunder of benching Suryavanshi during the Super Over. The 14-year-old had already proven his destructive form in the main chase, scoring a swift 38 runs off just 15 balls. Furthermore, with that innings, he had established himself as the tournament's highest run-scorer with a total of 239 runs.