India defeated Oman by 21 runs in its last Group A match of the Asia Cup 2025 in Abu Dhabi. Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start, scoring 38 runs off just 15 balls. Sanju Samson also contributed with a valuable half-century.
All Indian batters spent some time at the crease, except captain Suryakumar Yadav, who did not come out to bat despite the team losing eight wickets. India posted 188/8 in 20 overs. Faisal Shah, Aamir Kaleem, and Jitenkumar Ramanandi picked up two wickets each for Oman.
While chasing, Jatinder Singh and Aamir Kaleem provided Oman with a solid start, adding 56 runs for the first wicket. However, despite keeping wickets in hand, Oman could only reach 167/4 in 20 overs, falling short by 21 runs.
For India, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana took one wicket each. Oman showed determination with both bat and ball but could not match India’s overall strength and depth.
Abhishek’s Aggressive Start
India suffered an early setback when Shubman Gill was bowled by left-arm pacer Shah Faisal for just five runs in the second over. However, Abhishek Sharma quickly turned the game around with an explosive knock.
Abhishek scored 38 runs off 15 balls, the only batter with a strike rate above 200 on a pitch that offered turn and grip. He scored 38 of the 60 runs India managed in the powerplay, hitting boundaries freely despite Oman’s bowlers trying different tactics.
He was given a lifeline at 21 when wicketkeeper Vinayak Shukla dropped a catch off Mohammad Nadeem, which was also called a wide. However, Abhishek eventually edged another delivery, and this time Shukla completed the catch.
Samson Anchors the Innings
After missing out in the first two matches, Sanju Samson batted at number three and took time to settle. At one point, he was 13 off 14 balls, but a six and a four off Samay Shrivatsava helped him find rhythm.
He continued to build his innings with occasional boundaries and reached his half-century in 41 balls. Samson eventually scored 56 off 45 balls before getting out in the 18th over, trying to accelerate.
Lower-Order Contributions Push India Close to 190
Useful cameos from Tilak Varma (29 off 18), Axar Patel (26 off 13), and Harshit Rana (13 off 8)* helped India cross 180.
However, Oman bowled well in the final overs, conceding only 21 runs in the last three overs. The only boundary in that phase came off the last ball when Harshit sliced Faisal for six over point.
Oman’s Chase Shows Promise but Falls Short
Oman began their chase well with openers Aamir Kaleem and Jatinder Singh adding 56 runs for the first wicket.
However, once Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Jatinder in the ninth over, the required run rate climbed to 12 per over.
Kaleem fought hard and reached his half-century. He especially targeted Shivam Dube, taking 18 runs off just nine balls from him. But his innings ended at 64, when Hardik Pandya took a stunning catch at long leg off Harshit’s bowling.
Mirza’s Knock and Oman's Positives
No. 3 batter Hammad Mirza also impressed with a fighting half-century, giving Oman hope for the T20 World Cup Asia and East-Asia-Pacific Regional Qualifier, which they will host next month.
Despite these efforts, Oman could only manage 167 for 4, falling 21 runs short of the target.
Brief Scorecard
Oman has nothing to lose in the match, so they play freely. They execute their skills well, and Aamir Kaleem especially displayed an all-round performance. India used eight different bowlers during the match as they experimented with their attack. Key bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy were rested.
Kuldeep Yadav stood out with his clever variations, while Arshdeep Singh marked his return by taking his 100th T20I wicket, becoming the first Indian bowler to achieve the milestone. Arshdeep dismissed Shukla in the final over to seal the win as Bumrah and Varun applauded from the sidelines. Stay tuned with JUSZNEWS for regular updates!