Oman's cricket team is gearing up for the T20 World Cup 2026, marking their fourth appearance in the tournament. A defining moment in their journey was their performance against India in the Asia Cup 2025 in Abu Dhabi. Although Oman lost by 21 runs, their performance against the Men in Blue, with Aamir Kaleem (64) and Hammad Mirza (51) scaring Suryakumar Yadav's team, boosted their confidence. Oman scored 167/4 in 20 overs while chasing India's 188/4.
Despite the loss, the match had a significant impact, instilling a belief that they were not to be underestimated. According to Sulakshan Kulkarni, the deputy head coach of Oman, the performance against India was a major boost and helped the team qualify for the T20 World Cup after they won six of seven games during the Asia Qualifiers 2025.
After the match, Suryakumar Yadav had words of encouragement for the Oman players, stating that the team is ready for the World Cup qualifier. He praised their effort and advised them to remember the brand of cricket they played. Jatinder Singh, Oman's captain, expressed gratitude for Yadav's words, highlighting how he praised the team's performance and answered their questions about T20 strategies. Yadav also emphasized the importance of maintaining energy and a positive vibe within the team, regardless of the situation on the field. He noted that strong relationships off the field translate to better performance on the field.
Following the game, Suryakumar commended Oman for their performance, acknowledging the unbelievable brand of cricket they played and admitting he enjoyed watching them bat. Jatinder Singh also appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow Oman to train at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to improve their skills and competitiveness. He believes that training at the NCA, along with playing T20s with club and Ranji teams, would help bridge the gap between Oman and other top cricket teams. Kulkarni stressed the importance of playing more international series to prepare the team better, despite the confidence gained from their recent success.