Doha, Qatar – In a crucial Group B encounter at the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, India A is set to face off against Oman at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium today, November 18. With both teams vying for a coveted spot in the semi-finals, the spotlight is firmly on India A's young batting sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The equation is simple: win, and you're in. After a resounding 148-run victory against UAE, propelled by Sooryavanshi's breathtaking century, India A suffered an eight-wicket loss to Pakistan A. This defeat has made their clash against Oman a virtual knockout. Oman, after a promising batting display in their 40-run defeat to Pakistan A, bounced back with a thrilling last-ball victory against UAE, chasing down a 155-run target with two wickets to spare.
All eyes will be on 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The left-handed batter has already made a significant impact in the tournament, amassing 189 runs in two matches at an impressive average of 94.50 and a staggering strike rate of 270. His ability to take the game away from the opposition with his aggressive strokeplay makes him a key player for India A. In the previous match against UAE, Suryavanshi hit a whirlwind century, which included 15 sixes and 11 fours. However, he could not replicate the same performance against Pakistan A, scoring 45 off 28 balls. India A will need him to fire once again if they are to secure a victory against Oman.
"The surface here will be good for batting with very short boundaries on either side," said a source. The West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha has shown to be moderately batting-friendly, with an average score of 134 runs in recent T20 matches. Spinners have found some assistance on this pitch, having taken 34 wickets compared to 28 for pace bowlers in the last 5 T20s.
India A's batting lineup also boasts Priyansh Arya, Naman Dhir, captain Jitesh Sharma, and Ramandeep Singh, all of whom will need to contribute to relieve the pressure on Sooryavanshi. Jitesh Sharma hopes the team can correct their mistakes and produce a better batting performance against Oman. Gurjapneet Singh will lead the bowling attack. The lanky left-arm pacer has picked up three wickets in the first two games and will have an important role to play with the new ball.
Oman, led by Hammad Mirza, will rely on their top order to give them a solid start. In their previous matches, Zikria Islam and Muzahir Raza have shown promise with the bat. Their ability to build partnerships and score crucial runs in the middle order could be vital to their chances of upsetting India A.
Historical data from this venue shows that teams winning the toss have a 71% preference to bowl first. Teams that bowl first have achieved an impressive 80% win rate, indicating strong advantages for chasing at this venue.
As India A seeks to regain its winning form, the team's hopes will largely rest on the young shoulders of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Can he rise to the occasion and deliver another match-winning performance, securing India A's passage to the semi-finals? Cricket fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see if this rising star can shine brightest when it matters most.
The match will be televised live on Sony Sports Network and streamed live on Sony LIV and FanCode. The game is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM IST.
