Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has hit out at the hosts' batters following a dismal day one performance against Bangladesh in the ongoing first Test, adding that their early season rustiness meant they were outplayed and outwitted by the visitors' bowling line-up. Australia were bowled out for a paltry 198 after opting to bat first, with Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud tearing through the lineup with figures of 6-55. Now with Bangladesh's lead crossing 150, it meant the focus is back on Australia's shoddy batting performance, where barring Steve Smith (71), no one made a notable contribution. "There was a lot of early-season rustiness, they haven't played for a long time, but you can't excuse some of the technical issues and flaws we saw from the top order in particular. I was surprised Australia actually chose to bat, especially with Bangladesh coming off just 54 in the warm-up game. “The Australian seamers on that wicket yesterday morning would ...
In a baffling turn during the semi-final of the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 in Doha, the management of India A left 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi stranded in the dug-out during the Super Over, even after his explosive 38 off 15 in the match proper. The decision saw India A crash out to Bangladesh A without scoring in the tie-breaker, prompting former India pacer Dodda Ganesh to publicly lambast the leadership with a blunt "What are these guys smoking?" reaction on X.
Not sending Vaibhav Suryavamshi to bat in the Super over? What are these guys smoking? #AsiaCup
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) November 21, 2025
India A, captained by Jitesh Sharma, were knocked out of the tournament after facing Bangladesh A in what should have been a straightforward Super Over. The main match saw Bangladesh A post 194/6 in 20 overs, powered by opener Habibur Rahman Sohan's 65 and a fiery 48 off 18 from SM Meherob. India A responded with a blazing 50-run opening burst in just 19 deliveries, largely thanks to Suryavanshi's assault of two fours and five sixes. His wicket, however, swung the momentum back to Bangladesh's way. India A's chase came down to the last-ball, in which the side needed four runs but scored three.
In the Super Over, the management went with Jitesh Sharma and Ramandeep Singh as the two hitters, leaving Suryavanshi out. Jitesh was dismissed first ball by a perfect yorker from Ripon Mondal, and Ashutosh Sharma - who came in next - fell on the very first ball he faced. India A thus set a target of one run and Bangladesh A reached home with a wicket in hand.
Ganesh didn't hold back in his social-media blast:
"Not sending Vaibhav Suryavamshi to bat in the Super over? What are these guys smoking?
This pointed critique puts pressure on India A's management to justify their game-time decisions in critical moments.
In the post-match remarks, captain Jitesh claimed the choice was made because he, Ashutosh and Ramandeep were "good hitters at the death". He said that factored into excluding Suryavanshi from the equation.
from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/LGkflUr
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