Explainer: Why was Dasun Shanaka not run out during Super Over in India vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup tie?

The final stages of the Asia Cup 2025 fixture between India and Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday, September 26, witnessed some pandemonium as Dasun Shanaka escaped a run out under unique circumstances.

India posted 202/5 in their 20 overs after being asked to bat first by Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka. In reply, Pathum Nissanka anchored the Sri Lankan innings whilst scoring his maiden century in T20I cricket. However, with 12 runs needed off the last over, he was dismissed by Harshit Rana.

Dasun Shanaka took a couple of runs off the last ball of the over to level the scores and take the game to the Super Over. Arshdeep Singh bowled a full delivery wide outside off-stump, and Shanaka swung his bat, only to meet thin air. The Sri Lankan all-rounder tried to steal a bye, but Kamindu Mendis didn't cross for the run. Sanju Samson calmly under-armed the ball onto the stumps and the striker's end to catch Shanaka short of his crease by a distance.

Sri Lanka had already lost a wicket off the first ball, and Shanaka's run out would have brought the innings to a close. The leg umpire raised his finger, confirming the run out. However, Arshdeep Singh appealed for a caught-behind, and he was given out by the umpire at the striker's end. Shanaka instantly asked for the DRS as he knew he had not nicked the delivery.

The DRS showed that Shanaka's bat was nowhere near the ball. He remained not out. However, he wasn't given run out either. This is because, according to the rule, once a batter is given out, what happens later is irrelevant. Therefore, when the umpire gave Shanaka out caught behind the ball became dead. The run out, which happened, later wasn't considered.

Rule 20.1.1.3 says that a ball is considered dead when the batter is dismissed. “The ball will be deemed to be dead from the instant of the incident causing the dismissal,” it reads.

Also, rule 3.7.1 states: If following a Player Review request, an original decision of Out is changed to Not out, then the ball is still deemed to have become dead when the original decision was made (as per clause 20.1.1.3).

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Shanaka was dismissed off the following delivery as Sri Lanka only managed two runs in the Super Over. Suryakumar Yadav took three runs off the first ball bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga to take India to victory. The Men in Blue will now have a break on Saturday before they face Pakistan in Sunday's final.