Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka survived a dramatic Super Over moment against India in the Asia Cup after a confusing sequence of events.
On the fourth ball, Shanaka missed a yorker from Arshdeep Singh and stepped out of his crease. While India appealed for a caught behind, Sanju Samson quickly threw down the stumps to catch Shanaka short. The on-field umpire, however, gave him out caught behind after some hesitation. Shanaka immediately reviewed the decision with the third umpire Masudur Rahman.
Replays showed there was no edge, so Shanaka was declared not out for the caught behind — and also not out for the run out. According to MCC’s rules, the ball becomes dead from the instant the dismissal is given. Since the caught-behind appeal was ruled on before Samson’s direct hit, the run out did not count.
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav questioned the ruling, but the umpires stood firm. Sri Lanka coach Sanath Jayasuriya later explained, “The first decision always counts. Shanaka reviewed the catch, and it was not out. That’s why the run out didn’t stand.” He also noted that the rules still have “grey areas” that might need clarification.
Shanaka’s reprieve was short-lived, as he fell the very next ball, slicing a catch to deep third. Sri Lanka were dismissed within five balls, setting India just three runs to win. Suryakumar finished the contest in style by driving Wanindu Hasaranga’s first delivery through the covers, sealing India’s unbeaten entry into the final.
