- By Namrata Vijay
- Sat, 20 Sep 2025 08:24 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs OMA Asia Cup 2025: It was an unmissable gesture. After a few days, during their match against arch-rivals Pakistan, where the Indian players didn't shake hands before and after the match, they were seen giving warm hugs to Oman cricketers after their last group stage match of the ongoing tournament on Friday, and were also seen giving suggestions to them about their game.
When both teams were shaking hands with each other, the Indian players gave a warm hug to Oman's opener Aamir Kaleem, who scored a gritty knock of 64 runs off 46 balls. He had played a brilliant innings and had put his team in a great position during the last three overs. Kaleem and Hammad Mirzastitched a brilliant partnership of 93 runs for the second wicket and made sure that the experiment made by the Men in Blue increased their level.
Both Oman batters Kaleem and Hammad Mirza had scored fifties apiece, but their efforts went in vain as they lost the match by 21 runs. India skipper Suryakumar Yadav was seen spending time after the match and also talking to them. He was also seen getting clicked with Oman's cricket team.
"I feel Oman played an unbelievable brand of cricket. I knew with their coach, Sulu sir (Sulakshan Kulkarni), there would be khadoosness. It was amazing, really enjoyed watching them bat," Suryakumar Yadav told broadcasters during the post-match presentation.
India's Experimentation Nearly Fails
After qualifying for the Super 4, the Indian team changed their approach for their last group stage match and tried to test their bench strength. The team management tested their middle batting order and allowed part-time bowlers to bowl. Although this strategy looked good on paper, it almost backfired on the ground.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led side posted a mammoth target of 188 runs, but Oman did put up a valiant fight while chasing. Senior batter Aamir Kaleem and Hammad Mirza had scored fifties apiece and kept the scorecard ticking till the 18th over. When the partnership continued, the Indian team looked a bit worried. Hardik Pandya then gave the much-needed breakthrough after he took the brilliant catch and helped the team break this partnership.
Oman scored 167/4 after 20 overs and lost the match by 21 runs with six wickets remaining. Skipper Jatinder Singh and opener Aamir Kaleem had scored 56 runs in the powerplay as the Indian bowlers failed to take a wicket till 8.3 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, who had replaced Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy in the playing XI, had a hard time taking wickets.
Aamir and Hammad then changed their batting approach during the 15th over. Once the run-rate went beyond reach in the last few overs, the Oman batters couldn't pile the pressure in what could have been a huge upset.
India did win the match by 21 runs. And both teams will take back the positives. The Men in Blue were able to test their bench strength, whereas Oman ended their campaign with their heads held high by putting up such a brilliant performance.