Explained: Why Was Dasun Shanaka Run Out Decision Reversed?

The last Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2025 between India vs Sri Lanka was the most thrilling match of the Asia Cup 2025, which went to a super over. Though this match didn't hold any importance in terms of qualification for the Asia Cup 2025 final but it turned out to be a nail-biting contest between the two best cricket teams in the world. The match ended in a Super Over, which saw a climax in the Sri Lankan innings but was easily chased down by the Indian cricket team.

Why was the SL Batsman Allowed to Play After Run Out?

In the Super Over between India and Sri Lanka, an unexpected moment took place with Dasun Shanaka at the crease. Arshdeep Singh bowled and went up for a caught-behind appeal, while at the same time, Sanju Samson pulled off a sharp run-out at the striker’s end. The umpire, though, gave Shanaka out for the caught behind and didn’t consider the run out.

Shanaka immediately went for a review, and the replays showed there was no edge, so the caught-behind decision was overturned. But here’s where cricket’s rules came into play—since only the original dismissal (caught behind) was under review, the run out wasn’t checked as the ball became dead after the appeal for the caught behind. That meant Shanaka survived, which turned out to be a very smart DRS. However, he lost his wicket just one ball later.

What Does the Rule Say About Dasun Shanaka Run Out?

In cricket, when a batsman is given out for a specific type of dismissal, such as caught behind, and he reviews it, only that particular decision is checked. Even if another way of getting out happened at the same time, like a run out, it won’t be looked at unless the umpire had given it or asked for it separately. So basically, the review only focuses on what the umpire decided first, not on any other possible outs at the same moment.

Match Overview: IND vs SL

The eighteenth match of the Asia Cup 2025 and the last Super 4s match between India and Sri Lanka turned out to be the most exciting and nerve-wracking match of the tournament so far. The match started with the Indian cricket team batting first, and yet again, Indian star batter Abhishek Sharma showed fireworks with his batting, scoring 61 runs in just 31 balls, along with a crucial innings of Tilak Varma's 49 runs. India managed to post a total of 202 on the board, which was the highest of the tournament.

The Sri Lankan cricket team, which was already out of the tournament, played their last match with full grit and started the second innings on a high note, and Pathum Nissanka scored his maiden T20I century, 107 (58). He was joined by Kusal Perera, who also scored a crucial 58 runs in 32 balls. But the experience of Indian bowler Arshdeep Singh came right away, where he bowled a crucial 19th over without leaking many runs, and the score went to be tied.

The match resulted in a super over, where Sri Lanka, batting first, only managed to score 2 runs, and the Shanaka run out incident happened. India chased down the target in the first ball of the super over and remained unbeaten to go for the final of the Asia Cup 2025, where the greatest rivalry in cricket will face each other.