India defeated Oman by 21 runs in Abu Dhabi to finish the Asia Cup 2025 group stage with a hard-fought victory. While the outcome was predictable, Oman’s fighting style received widespread acclaim.
India, having decided to bat first, scored 188 for 8. Abhishek Sharma started the innings aggressively, scoring 38 off only 15 balls, including five fours and two sixes. His cameo provided the squad impetus on the power play, but as he fell, the scoring rate dropped. Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya were out quickly, while Axar Patel (26 off 13) provided a useful cameo.
Sanju Samson led the innings with a 45-ball 56. Tilak Varma added 29 off 18, while Harshit Rana’s unbeaten 13 helped India reach 180. Oman bowled well, with Shah Faisal (2 for 23), Jiten Ramanandi (2 for 33), and Aamir Kaleem (2 for 31) putting the opposition on the back foot. I
In response, Oman began wonderfully. Skipper Jatinder Singh and Aamir Kaleem contributed 56 for the opening wicket, going all out in the powerplay. Jatinder ultimately sliced one back onto his stumps from Kuldeep Yadav for 32.
Kaleem and Hammad Mirza constructed a superb 93-run stand for the second wicket, keeping Oman within distance. Kaleem hit seven boundaries and two sixes in his 64 off 46, while Mirza raced to 51 off 33 balls. When Kaleem was dismissed in the 18th over and Mirza followed soon after, Oman’s hopes decreased. They eventually finished at 167 for 4, their second-highest total against a full-member side, just 21 runs short of India’s mark. Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Hardik Pandya took a wicket each.
Who Said What?
Sanju Samson, Player of the Match
It was humid and hot out there. Working on my fitness on the last few weeks. We just got a new trainer and did the Bronco test. Good to see I got to spend some time in the middle. They bowled reallt well. Have to give credit to Oman. Bowled well in the powerplay also, were swinging it upfront. I keep backing my strength to stay positive. Any contribution with the bat for your country, you have to take the positives.
Suryakumar Yadav, India (Winning Captain)
Definitely I’ll try from next game. Overall impressive, I feel, Oman played unbelievable brand of cricket. I knew with their coach, Sulu sir (Sulakshan Kulkarni), there will be khadoosness. It was amazing, really enjoyed watching them bat. It’s a little difficult when you’re sitting and suddenly you come out and play (talking about Arshdeep and Harshit). It’s so humid here. Unfortunate how he got out but you can’t keep him away from the game (talking about Hardik Pandya), the way he bowled and the way he got out. All set for Super Fours (when asked about the Sunday clash).
Extremely proud of the unit, the way they came up and executed the plans. Very proud of how they showed their character in crunch situations. The hype of the tournament was somewhere in the mind. As I’ve mentioned before, we lack experience and exposure. We have the World Cup Qualifiers in Oman, the boys are ready. I was telling him, that has become your favourite dismissal (talking of Jiten Ramanandi and his run-outs). He is a utility player and a team man. We are grouped with PNG and Samoa. Boys are ready and looking forward to the tournament.
India
