How Did Ripon Mondol’s Double-Wicket Super Over Knock Out India A in Doha?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ripon Mondol showcased exceptional skill in the Super Over.
- Bangladesh A successfully reached the finals of the Asia Cup Rising Stars.
- Meherob's explosive innings changed the course of the match.
- Both teams displayed incredible talent and determination.
- The match highlighted the bright future of young cricketers.
Doha, Nov 21 (NationPress) In an exhilarating Super Over display, Ripon Mondol shone brightly, delivering an exceptional performance by conceding no runs and clinching two crucial wickets. This triumph propelled Bangladesh A to a remarkable victory against India A, securing their place in the finals of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025/26 after a thrilling first semifinal in Doha, Qatar. The match was a rollercoaster ride, with Mondol's composed bowling proving to be the turning point as Bangladesh A triumphed over India A in a nail-biting finish.
Earlier, India captain Jitesh Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl on a pitch favorable for batters, but Bangladesh A capitalized on the conditions effectively.
Opening batsman Habibur Rahman Sohan played a pivotal role, scoring 65 runs off 46 balls, while contributions from Jishan Alam (26 off 14) and Zawad Abrar (13 off 19) bolstered the top order.
India A mounted a commendable comeback through spinners Harsh Dubey and Suyash Sharma, reducing Bangladesh A from a solid 108/2 to 130/6. Just when India A appeared to seize control, S M Meherob Hasan turned the tide.
Meherob unleashed a breathtaking counterattack, scoring 48 not out off 18 balls and hitting six sixes, alongside Yasir Ali (18 off 9), accumulating 50 runs in the last two overs. Bangladesh A concluded their innings with a formidable total of 194/6 in 20 overs.
In response, India A began aggressively. Vaibhav Suryavanshi dismantled the bowling attack right from the start, scoring 38 off 15 as India A raced to 49/0 in just 3 overs until Abdul Gaffar Saqlain halted his onslaught. Priyansh Arya (44 off 23) maintained the momentum, but wickets fell rapidly.
Naman Dhir struggled with just 7 off 12, leading to a drop in run rate as India A reached 101/3 at the halfway mark, necessitating a rebuild.
The chase fluctuated dramatically, culminating in a tense finish with 16 runs needed off the final over. Rakibul Hasan bowled five outstanding deliveries, but a last-ball misfield gave India A three runs, tying the game and necessitating a Super Over.
Bangladesh A entrusted the Super Over to Ripon Mondol, who performed wonders. He dismissed Jitesh Sharma on the first ball, followed by Ashutosh Sharma on the next, restricting India A to a mere 0 runs—a flawless Super Over from the young pacer.
With just 1 run to defend, India A turned to Suyash Sharma. He took out Yasir Ali on the first ball, briefly igniting hopes, but a subsequent wide sealed the match in favor of Bangladesh A, securing their spot in the finals.
Brief scores: Bangladesh A 194/6 (Habibur Rahman 65, SM Meherob 48 not out; Gurjaoneet Singh 2/39, Suyash Sharma 1/17) tied India A 194/6 (Priyansh Arya 44, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 38; Rakibul Hasan 2/39, Abu Hider Rony 2/44)
Super Over: India A 0/2 in 0.2 overs lost to Bangladesh A 1/1 in 0.1 overs by nine wickets.