DUBAI – India survived a late scare to edge past Sri Lanka in a dramatic Super Over and maintain their unbeaten run in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh emerging as the hero at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday. In a tense finish, Sri Lanka required three runs off the final delivery to overhaul India’s total. Dasun Shanaka, facing Harshit Rana, drilled a back-of-length delivery towards long-on, where Arshdeep Singh fumbled, allowing two runs. Shanaka’s desperate dive prevented a third, leaving the scores tied and forcing a Super Over.
Sri Lanka, who had looked in control with centurion Pathum Nissanka at the crease, faltered in the final moments. Nissanka’s dismissal on the first ball of the last over left the chase wobbling, despite his magnificent 107 off 58 balls, featuring seven fours and six sixes. He had earlier shared a commanding 127-run second-wicket stand with Kusal Perera, who struck a brisk 58 from 32 deliveries.
In the Super Over, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav entrusted Arshdeep Singh with the ball. The pacer delivered sensationally, conceding only two runs while dismissing Perera first ball and Shanaka on the penultimate delivery. India needed just three runs to win, and Suryakumar sealed the deal first ball by driving Wanindu Hasaranga through extra cover for a comfortable three. Earlier, India, put into bat, recovered from a shaky start after losing Shubman Gill for just four. Rohit Sharma’s blistering 61 off 31 balls, studded with 10 boundaries including two sixes, set the tone. He shared a 59-run partnership with Suryakumar (12) and later added quick runs with Tilak Varma before falling to Asalanka. Sanju Samson (39 off 27) and Varma then added 66 runs for the fourth wicket to keep India’s momentum alive. Though Sri Lanka clawed back with timely wickets, Varma held firm, finishing unbeaten on 49 from 34 balls, supported by Axar Patel’s 21 not out off 15 deliveries. India closed on 185/5 in their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers shared the wickets evenly, with Theekshana, Hasaranga, Chameera, Shanaka, and Asalanka each striking once. But despite Nissanka’s masterclass, Arshdeep’s brilliance under pressure ensured India remained unbeaten heading into the final.
Scores in Brief
INDIA 185/5 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 61, Tilak Varma 49*; Maheesh Theekshana 1/23) tied SRI LANKA 185/5 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 107, Kusal Perera 58); Harshit Rana 1/39, Arshdeep Singh 1/46).
SUPER OVER: Sri Lanka 2/2 (Arshdeep Singh 2 wickets) INDIA 3/0 (Suryakumar Yadav 3*).
