The India–Sri Lanka clash in the Asia Cup produced a truly bizarre moment during the Super Over — one that left fans, players, and commentators equally bewildered. Sri Lankan batter Dasun Shanaka survived what looked like a clear run-out, only because of a technicality in cricket’s rulebook.
On the fourth ball of Arshdeep Singh’s Super Over, the left-arm pacer bowled a sharp yorker outside off. Shanaka swung hard but failed to connect. India immediately went up in appeal for a caught-behind, and umpire Gazi Sohel raised his finger after a brief consideration. Shanaka, strangely, decided to take off for a run even though the ball had already settled in Sanju Samson’s gloves. Samson, quick as ever, under-armed a direct hit at the striker’s end with Shanaka nowhere near the frame.
For a moment, it looked like Sri Lanka’s Super Over innings was over. But here’s where cricket’s complex laws stepped in. Since the umpire had already given Shanaka out caught behind, the ball was deemed dead the moment the finger went up. That meant Samson’s brilliant direct hit had no consequence. Shanaka immediately reviewed the caught-behind call, and UltraEdge showed a clear gap between bat and ball. The decision was overturned — leaving Shanaka not only alive at the crease but also absolved of the run-out.
Explaining the drama on air, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan summed it up: “Since it has been given out caught behind, and reviewed, the ball is dead and umpire Gazi Sohel makes his point known to team India. The first decision always stands and when it is given out by the umpire at the bowler’s end, the ball is dead and that’s why Shanaka escapes from being run-out.”
What made the incident stranger was Shanaka’s own decision-making. Having been adjudged caught behind, there was no cricketing logic in attempting a run, especially with Samson standing right over the ball. Had Arshdeep not appealed, Shanaka’s rush of blood would have cost Sri Lanka dearly — their Super Over innings could have ended with both batters stranded in the middle.
– Ends
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