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Oman traps India into a fight before bowing out of Asia Cup 2025

India vs Oman
India vs Oman (Photo - X)

A lineup consisting of Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Sanju Samson, among other superstars, could not cross the 200-run mark. Could it be termed a win for Oman? Facing a 189-run target against the reigning World Champions, the 20th-ranked associate nation narrowed the gap to just 21 runs. Is that not enough to call it a victory for the underdogs? Fortunately, or unfortunately, only a win is termed a victory in sports. By that margin, Team India has arrived in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup 2025 unbeaten. However, Oman, the first team to be eliminated from the draw, showed a fight in Abu Dhabi that no one saw coming. The India vs Oman Asia Cup 2025 match, the last group-stage encounter, ended in a clear result but was laden with commendable heroics.

Asia Cup 2025 group stage concludes with an enticing India vs Oman showdown

The Men in Blue finally got the chance to bat first at the Asia Cup 2025. The coin flipped in SKY's favor as the Indian skipper opted to bat first against Oman. Just a few days ago, England shattered records, smashing over 300 runs against South Africa in a T20I. The conditions, the surface, and the stakes were all different between the two contests. However, the question, or rather the excitement, still lingered: could India topple the record charts when they took guard against Oman in Abu Dhabi?

However, Oman pulled off an incredible save, benefiting from the mellow nature of the wicket. Suryakumar Yadav spoke about assessing the batting depth of the order before moving on to the Super 4s, taking the India vs Oman contest as the best opportunity to do so. The captain then took the observer’s role rather seriously, slotting himself at the 11th spot in the order.

Abhishek Sharma was business as usual. Be it Oman, Pakistan, or England, the opener has shown that his template of attacking batting is not going to change. However, as Abhishek put his big hits on show, Shubman Gill fumbled at the other end. Shah Faisal cleaned up the Indian vice-captain in the second over of the game, giving early signs that the match might not turn out to be a no-contest after all.

Incidentally, across the three matches at the group-stage, Shubman has managed a cumulative of 35 runs, marking his return to the shorter format after a year. Sanju Samson came in next, getting his first chance to bat in Asia Cup 2025. The adjudged opener before Gill's arrival, Samson made the most of his opportunity. The wicketkeeper-batter matched Abhishek's tempo as the duo charged to 60 runs in the powerplay.

However, Oman struck twice in the 8th over, putting the brakes on India’s charge. Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for 38 off 15 before Hardik Pandya fell to a run out. Samson slowed down but held firm as Tilak Varma walked in. Samson’s fifty, the first by any Indian at the Asia Cup 2025, stood out as the highlight of India’s innings. Axar’s cameo at a strike rate of 200, combined with the contributions of Samson and Tilak, pushed India’s total past 188, as Shivam Dube departed without making an impact and the skipper chose not to come out.

With Suryakumar Yadav staying out of the action, it seemed like India's approach was rather lax in the inconsequential contest against Oman. However, as the chase unfolded, it appeared that Oman actually challenged the Men in Blue. The opponents scored 44 runs in the powerplay, with India unable to make a breakthrough. Kuldeep Yadav, India's top performer in the tournament so far, struck in the 9th over to claim the first wicket.

However, a brilliant fight ensued, with Aamir Kaleem sending the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, and Hardik Pandya to the bleachers. Kuldeep became the target of Hammad Mirza, who struck him for consecutive sixes as India searched for their second wicket. Kaleem and Mirza made sure to leave a mark, scoring respective half-centuries against the Asia Cup favorites. Oman eventually bowed, but ensured that the fight and their name reverberate in the coming days.

Meanwhile, with the 21-run victory in the India vs Oman Asia Cup 2025 clash, the Men in Blue arrive in the Super 4s unbeaten. The batting depth has been tested and gauged as the group looks at another India vs Pakistan showdown at the next stage. Waiting the favorites ahead are Sri Lanka, who are their unbeaten counterparts from Group B.

Author Ayushi Singh
Ayushi Singh

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