When you don’t expect anything from life, it surprises you. Cricket is just the same. Nobody expected anything from the India vs Sri Lanka match because the result wouldn’t have made much difference – neither for India nor for Sri Lanka.
But who thought that this would turn out to be the most intense and exciting match of the Asia Cup?

Table of Contents

Sri Lanka’s Strong Play vs India’s Edge

Sri Lanka was a brilliant team that day, in fact better. But India’s impact made them win.
Still, one moment shocked everyone – the controversy of Dasun Shanaka being not out in the Super Over.

The Super Over Controversy

Arshdeep’s Bowling and the Run-Out Drama

Arshdeep Singh bowls.
The ball goes near the off stump, doesn’t touch the bat.
The wicketkeeper collects it, Sanju Samson runs Shanaka out.
The umpire gives him out.

But then Shanaka comes back to bat again. Everyone wondered –
“In a Super Over, only two batsmen can get out. Two wickets are already down, then how is he batting again?”

The Appeal and the Cricket Rule

Actually, the appeal was made for a catch, not the run-out.
The review went to the third umpire and the ball was declared dead.
That meant the run-out was not considered.
Shanaka survived and got another chance to bat.

However, he got caught out on the very next ball. It didn’t change the result, but if he had hit a boundary, it could have turned the match.

What If This Happened with India?

Fans argued –
If this had happened in India’s batting, Pakistan or other countries would have shouted that “umpires always favor India.”
But the truth was – it was the rule of cricket, not cheating.

The Thrill of the Match and India’s Luck

India’s Batting

India scored 202 runs in 20 overs.
The start was good, but Sri Lanka put pressure in the middle overs.
Abhishek Sharma and other batsmen disappointed.

Sri Lanka’s Response

Sri Lanka hammered India badly.
Pathum Nissanka played a stunning century (100+ off 58 balls).
Luckily, he got caught – giving India a lifeline.

Arshdeep Singh’s Brilliance

He bowled the 17th, 19th, and the Super Over – all superbly.
His spells created the difference in the match.

India’s Super Over History

India has always been lucky in Super Overs:

2007 – Bowl-out win.
2020 – Super Over win vs New Zealand.
2024 – Super Over win vs Afghanistan.
2024 – Super Over win vs Sri Lanka.
2025 – Again Super Over win vs Sri Lanka.

In 33 matches, India has beaten Sri Lanka 23 times – a dominant record.

Sri Lanka – A Strong Side

Sri Lanka’s batting was outstanding.
They had many chances to seal the match.
But Arshdeep and India’s luck saved the day.

Result and a Warning

India won the match.
But the question remains –
Was it just luck, or was the team’s performance truly strong?

For captain Suryakumar Yadav, this is a warning –
If the team plays like this in the next match, it could be embarrassing.
Because in cricket, people may forget how many matches you win,
but they always remember whether you beat Pakistan or not.