India secured a 21-run victory against Oman in their recent Asia Cup 2025 match, but the performance has sparked criticism, with some suggesting the team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, didn't take the game seriously enough. Despite the win, which ensured India finished the league stage with a perfect record, the match against Oman was far from a straightforward affair, and the narrow margin of victory has led to questions about India's approach.
India batted first and posted a total of 188/8 in their 20 overs. Sanju Samson anchored the innings with a half-century, scoring 56 off 45 balls, while Abhishek Sharma provided early momentum with a quickfire 38 off 15 deliveries. Axar Patel also contributed with a brisk 26 off 13 balls. However, the middle order faltered, and India lost a cluster of wickets, preventing them from reaching an even higher total. Notably, Suryakumar Yadav, in a surprising move, remained padded up and didn't come out to bat, sacrificing his chance to give other batters some time at the crease.
In response, Oman put up a spirited fight, finishing with 167/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Aamir Kaleem led the charge with a valiant 64 off 46 balls, while Hammad Mirza contributed a fine 51 off 33 balls. The duo added 93 runs together, threatening to take the game away from India. However, the Indian bowlers managed to keep things tight in the final overs, securing the win for their team. Arshdeep Singh was particularly notable, as he became the first Indian to reach 100 T20I wickets.
Despite the victory, the fact that Oman, an ICC associate member, pushed India so close has raised concerns. Some critics have pointed to the experimental batting order and perceived lack of intensity as reasons for the close call. The decision to hold back Suryakumar Yadav and promote bowlers like Harshit Rana in the batting order was particularly questioned. While the intention may have been to provide opportunities for the lower order to gain experience, it arguably disrupted the team's balance and allowed Oman to gain a foothold in the game.
Moreover, the Indian bowlers, while ultimately successful in defending the total, were not at their best. Oman were able to score at a decent rate, and the Indian bowlers had to work hard to contain them. The fact that Oman managed to score 167 runs, with Aamir Kaleem and Hammad Mirza in fine form, suggests that the Indian bowling attack could have been more disciplined.
Overall, while India ultimately secured the win and progressed to the Super 4 stage with an unbeaten record, the performance against Oman was not convincing. The experimental approach and perceived lack of seriousness have drawn criticism, and the team will need to address these issues if they are to mount a serious challenge for the Asia Cup title. The Super 4 clash against Pakistan will be a sterner test, and India will need to be at their best to overcome their arch-rivals.
