India secured their third consecutive victory in the Asia Cup 2025, defeating Oman by 21 runs in a tightly contested match in Abu Dhabi. With this win, India maintains an undefeated record as they head into the Super 4 stage of the tournament.
Suryakumar Yadav, India's captain for this match, won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision reflected a strategy to test the team's bench strength and provide opportunities for the middle and lower order batsmen. India posted a total of 188/8 in their 20 overs. Sanju Samson anchored the innings with a well-compiled half-century, scoring 56 off 45 balls. Abhishek Sharma provided early momentum with a quickfire 38 off 15 balls. Axar Patel (26 off 13) and Tilak Varma (29 off 18) also made valuable contributions, ensuring a healthy strike rate. However, the innings also saw some struggles, with Shubman Gill scoring only 5 and Hardik Pandya being run out for 1.
Oman's bowling attack put up a commendable performance, with Shah Faisal, Aamir Kaleem, and Jiten Ramanandi each taking two wickets. Their disciplined bowling and sharp fielding helped restrict India to under 200, which was an achievement considering India's deep batting lineup.
Chasing a target of 189, Oman displayed a spirited fight. Aamir Kaleem (64 off 46) and Hammad Mirza (51 off 33) scored half-centuries, forming a strong partnership that kept Oman in the game. Captain Jatinder Singh contributed 32 runs. However, the Indian bowlers managed to pick up crucial wickets at critical moments, stifling Oman's chase. Oman ultimately finished with 167/4 in their allotted 20 overs.
Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Kuldeep Yadav were among the key bowlers who took breakthroughs for India. Arshdeep Singh reached a milestone, becoming the first Indian to take 100 T20I wickets. Despite not using the full quota of overs from Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, who have been key wicket-takers in the tournament, India managed to defend their total. Suryakumar Yadav's decision to bat himself at No. 11 highlighted the team's focus on experimenting with the batting order and testing their depth.
With this victory, India has qualified for the Super 4 stage, where they will face Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. India's Super 4 schedule includes a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on September 21 in Dubai. They will then play against Bangladesh on September 24 and Sri Lanka on September 26. The top two teams from the Super 4 stage will advance to the final, which will be held on September 28.
The Super 4 stage will follow a round-robin format, with each team playing against the other three. The points system remains the same, with two points for a win and one for no result. If teams are tied on points, the net run rate will determine the ranking.
This win against Oman marked the first-ever international match between the two sides. While Oman's campaign in the Asia Cup 2025 has come to an end, their performance against India showcased their potential and provided valuable experience for the team.
