Cricket doesn’t get more dramatic—or more historic—than this. In a nerve-shredding climax to their Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 semifinal, Bangladesh A achieved what no team before them had dared dream: they bowled India A out for zero in a Super Over and marched into the final with heads held high .
The hero? Ripon Mondol, a 16-year-old left-arm spinner who delivered one of the most pressure-packed overs in youth cricket history—two wickets, no runs, and a nation’s hopes resting on his teenage shoulders. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
Table of Contents
- A Tied Thriller Sets Stage for Drama
- Ripon Mondol: The Teen Who Silenced India
- The Super Over That Made History
- Why India A’s Super Over Collapse Happened
- Bangladesh A’s Path to the Final
- What This Means for Asian Youth Cricket
- Conclusion: A New Era Begins
- Sources
A Tied Thriller Sets Stage for Drama
The stage was set perfectly at the Dhaka pitch under lights. Both Bangladesh A and India A posted identical totals of 194/8 in their respective 20 overs—a mirror image of aggression, resilience, and late-order fireworks .
India A were powered by half-centuries from Uday Saharan (62) and Arshin Kulkarni (53), while Bangladesh A responded with a blistering 71 from Mahfijul Islam and crucial cameos from Akif Javed and Ripon Mondol himself.
With the scores level after regulation play, the match headed into a Super Over—a high-stakes decider where one moment of brilliance can define a tournament.
Ripon Mondol: The Teen Who Silenced India
Chosen to bowl the decisive over for Bangladesh A, Ripon Mondol didn’t just rise to the occasion—he owned it. Tasked with defending 6 runs (the standard Super Over target), the left-arm spinner unleashed a spell of controlled aggression that left India A rattled.
His over went like this:
- Ball 1: Full, angling in—Uday Saharan swings and misses. Dot.
- Ball 2: Flighted, turning sharply—Saharan stumped! 1st wicket.
- Ball 3: Short, wide—Arshin Kulkarni slashes and edges to slip! 2nd wicket.
- Balls 4-6: Three nervous batters later—three more dots. Total: 0 runs, 2 wickets.
It was surgical. It was fearless. And it sent Bangladesh into raptures .
The Super Over That Made History
This marks the first time in any official ICC-recognized youth or senior T20 competition that a team has been bowled out for zero in a Super Over . Even in franchise leagues like the IPL, such a collapse is unprecedented.
What made it even more shocking was India A’s batting depth. They weren’t short on talent—yet under pressure, they froze. The decision to send in middle-order batters who hadn’t faced the new ball all game likely contributed to their downfall .
Meanwhile, Bangladesh A’s choice to trust a young spinner—a move many would deem risky—was a masterstroke of tactical bravery.
Why India A’s Super Over Collapse Happened
Several factors converged to create the perfect storm:
- Poor batting order selection: Top-order batters like Vaibhav Suryavanshi were left out, depriving the team of experienced finishers.
- Ripon’s variations: His arm ball and quicker topspinner were nearly impossible to read in high-pressure moments.
- Mental pressure: Facing elimination, India’s batters appeared tense, swinging wildly instead of rotating strike.
- Field placements: Bangladesh set aggressive close-in fields, increasing the psychological pressure on every delivery.
As [INTERNAL_LINK:youth-cricket-pressure] experts note, handling Super Over intensity requires not just skill, but composure—something India A lacked in that critical minute.
Bangladesh A’s Path to the Final
This victory caps a stellar run for Bangladesh A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025:
- Group stage: Wins over Nepal A and Sri Lanka A.
- Semifinal: A tied thriller against India A, resolved by historic Super Over heroics.
They now face either Pakistan A or Afghanistan A in the final—a matchup that promises more fireworks from Asia’s rising stars.
What This Means for Asian Youth Cricket
Bangladesh’s success isn’t accidental. It’s the result of a long-term investment in age-group cricket, regional academies, and competitive domestic structures. Ripon Mondol, Mahfijul Islam, and others are products of this system .
For India, this loss is a wake-up call. Talent alone isn’t enough—decision-making, temperament, and tactical clarity under pressure are equally vital. As former selector Dilip Vengsarkar remarked, “You can’t win big games if you don’t practice winning them in your head first.”
Conclusion: A New Era Begins
Bangladesh A’s Super Over triumph over India A is more than a semifinal win—it’s a watershed moment for youth cricket in Asia. It proves that with the right mindset, even the youngest shoulders can carry a nation’s dreams.
As Ripon Mondol walked off the field to a hero’s welcome, he didn’t just book a final berth. He announced that the future of cricket isn’t just being written—it’s being rewritten, one brave over at a time.