In a nail-biting Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Sri Lanka, which culminated in a thrilling Super Over, a single, perplexing moment left players and spectators utterly bewildered: Dasun Shanaka was deemed ‘not out’ despite what seemed to be a clear dismissal. This incident, rooted in a technicality of cricket law, became an instant talking point.
During Sri Lanka’s Super Over, after they had matched India’s score of 202/5 to force the tie-breaker, pace bowler Arshdeep Singh delivered a pinpoint yorker to Shanaka on his fourth ball. The ball zipped past the bat, prompting an immediate and fervent appeal from Arshdeep and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson for a caught-behind. Umpire Gazi Sohel promptly raised his finger, signaling Shanaka was out.
However, Shanaka decided to review the decision, believing there was no bat-ball contact. This is where the situation took a confusing turn.
Even as the caught-behind appeal was being processed for DRS (Decision Review System), Shanaka inexplicably ventured out for a run. Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, ever alert, quickly seized the opportunity and threw down the stumps with a direct hit. The Indian team erupted in a dual celebration, confident that Shanaka was out regardless of the review’s outcome.
Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, Shanaka survived. The key to this baffling decision lies in the fundamental MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) Laws of Cricket. Because the on-field umpire had initially given Shanaka out for caught-behind, the ball was immediately considered ‘dead’ at that precise moment. This crucial rule meant that no subsequent mode of dismissal, such as the run-out, could apply from the same delivery, even if the initial caught-behind decision was later overturned.
Indeed, when the DRS review concluded, UltraEdge confirmed there was no bat-ball contact, overturning the caught-behind dismissal. But due to the ‘dead ball’ technicality, Shanaka remained not out, despite clearly being short of his ground when the bails were dislodged. India’s fielders were visibly frustrated and perplexed, requiring umpire Sohel to take considerable time to explain the intricate law governing the situation.
Ultimately, Shanaka’s reprieve did little to alter the match’s outcome, as Sri Lanka only managed a meager two runs in the Super Over, a target India chased down comfortably. Nevertheless, the incident reignited a widespread debate among cricket enthusiasts and experts about whether these specific rules, particularly concerning DRS and dead balls, require further refinement to prevent such confusing scenarios in high-stakes matches.
Why was Dasun Shanaka given not out even after appearing ‘out’?
- Arshdeep Singh bowled to Shanaka, leading to an Indian appeal for caught-behind, and the on-field umpire initially gave him out.
- Shanaka opted for a review, which confirmed no bat-ball contact via UltraEdge, overturning the caught-behind dismissal.
- During the review process, Shanaka attempted a single, and wicketkeeper Samson executed a direct hit to run him out.
- However, as per MCC Laws of Cricket, the ball was deemed ‘dead’ the instant the umpire made the initial ‘out’ decision.
- Consequently, no further dismissals from that same delivery could be counted, saving Shanaka due to this legal technicality.