Dasun Shanaka was controversially given not out in the Super Over, even though wicketkeeper Sanju Samson appeared to run him out. Here’s what the laws of cricket say.
Dasun Shanaka: India Edges Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 Thriller
The final Super 4 clash of the Asia Cup 2025 proved to be the most thrilling encounter of the eight-team tournament as India and Sri Lanka battled it out at the Dubai International Stadium. Suryakumar Yadav’s India emerged victorious in a tense Super Over, with the captain hitting the winning runs on the very first ball. Sri Lanka came close to chasing down 203 but ultimately fell short, allowing India to maintain their unbeaten streak in the tournament.
The Super Over added even more drama, highlighted by a bizarre incident on the fourth ball of Sri Lanka’s innings. Dasun Shanaka was controversially given not out despite appearing run out by wicketkeeper Sanju Samson off Arshdeep Singh’s delivery. Arshdeep bowled a yorker outside off-stump, and Dasun Shanaka missed the ball while attempting a cross to Kamindu Mendis. Samson dislodged the bails, and Arshdeep appealed for a caught-behind, with umpire Gazi Sohel initially raising his finger. However, as the ball had already been declared dead, Dasun Shanaka’s review confirmed he had not hit the bat, and the not-out decision stood.
🚨Chaos in the Super Over! 🚨
— Asia Voice 🎤 (@Asianewss) September 26, 2025
Arshdeep to Shanaka — given caught behind, Sri Lanka reviews… but wait! Samson throws down the stumps with a direct-hit too! 🎯
No bat, review successful — but since it was given out initially, the ball’s dead. No run-out, no second chance.… pic.twitter.com/zh6ifYsjjs
Here’s what the law says
According to MCC laws, a ball is declared dead in specific situations, meaning it is no longer in play:
- It is finally settled in the hands of the wicketkeeper or bowler.
- A boundary is scored.
- A batter is dismissed; the ball is dead from the instant of the incident causing the dismissal.
- The ball becomes trapped between the bat and the batter, or within the batter’s clothing or equipment.
- The ball lodges in the clothing or equipment of the batter or umpire.
- Certain offences, such as a player returning without permission or fielding violations, result in penalty runs, and the delivery doesn’t count.
- Protective helmet violations by the fielding side.
- The match concludes as per Law 12.9.
- The ball is also dead when the bowler’s end umpire observes that the fielding side and batters have ceased to regard it as in play.
