India vs Oman, Asia Cup Highlights: India survive Kaleem, Mirza's heroics to register 21-run win

Well then, this wraps up the group stage of the Asia Cup 2025. It started with a run of one-sided affairs, but as the tournament grew and the race to Super 4 heated up, the intensity did too, with some gripping contests along the way. For the very first time, eight teams began the journey, and now we are down to the best four. From Group A, India and Pakistan, and from Group B, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have booked their places in the Super 4. No time to breathe, the action resumes right away in Dubai with Sri Lanka facing Bangladesh on 20th September, Saturday. The game kicks off with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). But as you all know the drill, do mark your presence an hour earlier for the exciting pre-match analysis and buildup. We sign off, only to meet for the next time. Take care, cheers.

They say in cricket, or in any sport, you either win or you learn. In their maiden Asia Cup campaign, Oman showed plenty of promise despite limited exposure against full-member nations. They head back home with heads held high and plenty of hope to build on for the future. The most important thing about them was that they didn't look overly dependent on a couple of players, but were proactive in all departments, especially in this fixture. For the Indians, they do maintain a clean record and enter the Super 4 with positive momentum. Their first challenge isn't that far as they face Pakistan on Sunday, 21st September. 

The Indian skipper, SURYAKUMAR YADAV, is all smiles as he walks up for a chat. Says with a smile that he will definitely try batting ahead at number 11 from the next game. On testing the bench strength, he feels that it was overall an impressive outing and praises Oman for playing an unbelievable brand of cricket. Adds that with their coach, Sulakshan Kulkarni, there was bound to be some 'khadoosness', and he really enjoyed watching them bat. On Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, he mentions how tough it is to suddenly come out and perform after sitting for a while, but both handled it well. Speaking about Hardik Pandya’s unfortunate run-out, he says the conditions are extremely humid. Still, Hardik can never be kept away from the game, pointing to the way he bowled and even the manner of his dismissal. Finally, looking ahead, he says the team is all set for the Super Four and the big clash against Pakistan on Sunday.

The captain of Oman, JATINDER SINGH, is up for a chat. Despite being on the losing side, one can clearly spot a sense of glee on his face. He says that he is extremely proud of the unit. Reflects that they executed their plans really well and stayed in the present. Adds that the boys really showed excellent character in crunch situations. Says that the hype of the tournament was somewhere in the mind. Admits that they do lack experience and exposure and shares that they have the World Cup Qualifiers in Oman as their next big challenge. Shares that they are grouped with Papua New Guinea and Samoa in that tournament. Ends by saying he is really proud of the team for showing great character against the World T20I champions and says they will play with the same energy in the future games.

India's SANJU SAMSON is adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his knock of 56 off 45 deliveries. On the hot and humid conditions, he says that it was tough out there, but he has been working on his fitness with the new trainer, Adrian, even doing a Bronco test last week, so he is feeling good. On finding his rhythm late in the innings, he mentions that it was nice to spend some time in the middle. He gives credit to Oman for bowling really well, especially in the Powerplay, where they got the ball to swing. Adds that he always backs his strengths to stay positive. Calling it a typical Samson knock, he concludes by saying that any contribution with the bat for the country is something to take positives from.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Uplifting visuals from the ground. The entire Oman squad has gathered around Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav, with SKY sharing his insights and likely a few words of appreciation too. Overall, a good display of sportsman's spirit. It is then followed by the Oman squad posing for the team photograph as they end their Asia Cup 2025 journey. Also, it was their maiden appearance in this competition. Please stay tuned for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, on a seemingly good batting track, India chose to bat first but lost Gill early. Abhishek Sharma provided a perfect launchpad and played his usual aggressive game before falling, while India experimented with their batting order. Sanju Samson looked scratchy, was also dropped on 44, but managed to reach a hard-fought fifty. India kept scoring at close to ten an over consistently, yet Oman impressed with regular breakthroughs and sharp fielding to keep India under 200, which was an achievement in itself, against a batting lineup as deep as this. Suryakumar Yadav did not come out to bat despite eight wickets down, but the total was already imposing. For Oman, Shah Faisal was the standout with two wickets at an economy of under a run a ball. Jiten Ramanandi and Aamir Kaleem also picked up two each, with Jiten involved in a couple of run outs. For Oman, it was a valuable outing filled with lessons, experience, and a lot of positives to take back home.

For India, this outing can be wrapped up in one word - EXPERIMENTATION. They tried out a new batting order and later rotated as many as eight bowlers, yet none managed to strike with consistency. Just when the panic buttons were about to be pressed, Hardik Pandya pulled off a screamer to cut short a courageous innings from Aamir Kaleem. And from there, the wheels just came off towards the backend. Plenty of positives for Oman. They may have fallen short of a daunting target, but they came far closer than most would have expected. In fact, as we mentioned, their fighting spirit against India was far stronger than what Pakistan and the UAE had managed to show.

The Indian bowlers looked desperate in search of wickets, and even with spin deployed in the middle overs, the openers dealt with caution, without being rash. The deadlock was eventually broken as Kuldeep Yadav provided the first wicket by dismissing Jatinder Singh. However, the wickets remained elusive, and Aamir Kaleem, along with Hammad Mirza, formed a partnership of substance. Both got off to their respective fifties, which, of course, they will remember for a long, long time.

Chasing a massive total of 189 runs was always going to be a huge ask for Oman. But Jatinder Singh and Aamir Kaleem formed a stable opening stand with a positive intent and dealt against the pace attack with smart strike rotation and finding boundaries occasionally. They also negotiated well against whatever early movement there was early doors. Not bang-bang throughout, but they did end their Powerplay without losing any wickets, with the score of 44 on the board.

Well played, Oman! They might have lost the game, but the kind of character they showed on the field, across all departments, was really commendable. They kept their best saved against the best. Duleep Mendis, the former Sri Lankan batter and the current head coach of Oman, would be a very happy man seeing this side produce an impressive performance. Neither from Pakistan nor from the UAE, but the Indians were challenged by Oman in their first-ever face-off in T20Is. Who knows, had they just been a bit braver and pushed a bit more in the middle overs, they could have actually pulled off a massive heist.

19.6: Arshdeep Singh to Jiten Ramanandi, FOUR! A boundary to finish but India have defeated Oman by 21 runs. Full and around off, Jiten Ramanandi makes room and squeezes it to the left of backward point for a boundary. Oman fought well, but in the end, that 188 proved too much for them.

19.5: Arshdeep Singh to Jiten Ramanandi, Another good searing yorker from Singh, around middle, Jiten brings his bat down to jam it out but gets an inside edge onto his front pad. The ball rolls away beside the off stump.

19.4: Arshdeep Singh to Jiten Ramanandi, FOUR MORE! Back of a length and around middle and leg, Jiten Ramanandi backs away again and pulls it over wide mid on for another boundary.

19.3: Arshdeep Singh to Jiten Ramanandi, FOUR! SHOT! Full and around leg, Jiten Ramanandi again backs away, makes room and drives it to the left of mid off for a boundary.

19.2: Arshdeep Singh to Jiten Ramanandi, Well-directed yorker, down leg, tries to follow the batter, Jiten backs away and looks to jam it out but misses.

Jiten Ramanandi is in at 6.

19.1: Arshdeep Singh to Vinayak Shukla, OUT! CAUGHT! Oman lose their fourth! Short of a length and around middle, Vinayak Shukla goes back and tries to pull it. The ball follows him, and he gets cramped. Mistimes his shot off the upper half of the bat due to an extra bounce, too. The ball goes flat towards deep mid-wicket, where the substitute fielder, Rinku Singh, moves forward and takes it easily. With this, Arshdeep Singh completes 100 T20I wickets, and becomes the first-ever Indian bowler to reach this milestone. Overall, he is the third-fastest bowler in the world to have achieved this feat, in 64 innings, among full-member nations. He is just behind Rashid Khan of Afghanistan and Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga. More importantly, he has reached this mark in just three years since his debut in this format, which came in the year 2022. 

Arshdeep Singh (3-0-24-0) to bowl the final over.

18.6: Hardik Pandya to Vinayak Shukla, Short of a length and around middle, Shukla attempts a pull shot but mistimes it. Luckily for him, the ball lands in the vacant backward square leg region. A single taken.

Vinayak Shukla is in at 5.

18.5: Hardik Pandya to Hammad Mirza, OUT! TAKEN! Hardik Pandya has a wicket finally, and Hammad Mirza walks back after an impeccable innings of 51 (33). Short of a length and around off, Mirza presses back and looks to flat-bat it down the ground. But due to an extra bounce, he mistimes it off the upper half of the bat. The ball lobs up towards mid off, where the substitute fielder, Rinku Singh, moves to his right and pouches it around his chest. Oman are 154/3.

18.4: Hardik Pandya to Hammad Mirza, Nagging length and around middle, Mirza gets cramped and all he manages to just push it back to the bowler.

18.3: Hardik Pandya to Hammad Mirza, Good stop by the keeper again! Short of a length and around middle and leg, Hammad Mirza looks to ramp it over the keeper but misses. Samson puts in a dive to his left and stops the ball with his left hand, certainly saving a boundary.

18.3: Hardik Pandya to Hammad Mirza, WIDE! Banged in short but down the leg side, Hammad Mirza gets across and looks to pull it but misses. The keeper, Sanju Samson, dives to his left and grabs it. Hardik appeals for caught behind, but the umpire shakes his head. Pandya asks Suryakumar Yadav to go for a review. There is nothing on the UltraEdge and India lose a review.

18.2: Hardik Pandya to Hammad Mirza, FOUR! THRASHED! FIFTY FOR HAMMAD MIRZA! On a fuller length and outside off, Mirza comes forward a bit and muscles it through the gap between mid off and cover for a boundary to bring his milestone off just 30 balls. This has been an excellent inning and one that will be worth remembering for Mirza!

18.1: Hardik Pandya to Hammad Mirza, Nagging length and around leg, with pace taken off, Hammad Mirza backs away and looks to turn it into the leg side but gets a bottom edge behind the wickets, where the keeper, Sanju Samson, collects it on the bounce.

17.6: Harshit Rana to Zikriya Islam, A swing and a miss! Bowled it full and outside off with pace taken off, Zikriya Islam goes deep in his crease to make a base for himself and swings over but connects with thin air only. Oman need 40 off the last two overs.

17.5: Harshit Rana to Zikriya Islam, Short of a length and around off, Zikriya Islam tries to ramp it over the keeper but msises.

Zikriya Islam is in at 4.

17.4: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, OUT! TAKEN! A stunner by Hardik Pandya and the impressive innings of Aamir Kaleem come to an end. On a back of a length and around middle and leg, Aamir shapes up for a pull and mistimes it due to an extra bounce. The ball travels flat and fast towards deep fine leg. Hardik runs across to his right, extends both his hands and pouches it, while running just inside the boundary cushions. He keeps running and maintains his balance. The third umpire checks it and calls a fair catch. Aamir Kaleem departs on 64 runs off just 46 balls and gets a good round of applause from the crowd at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium and is greeted by teammates in the dugout with a lot of pats on his shoulder. Rightly so, as he will remember this brave knock for a long, long time. Oman are 149/2, needing 40 more off the last 14 balls. 

Is that a clean catch from Hardik? The Indians are celebrating already, but the on-field umpires have sent it upstairs to check. Hardik took the catch, running to his right and kept running with the momentum. The replay confirms that he has kept himself nicely balanced and importantly, within the playing area, without coming in contact with the ropes. OUT!

17.3: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, Short of a length and outside off, Aamir Kaleem swivels and looks to pull but misses. There is an appeal for caught behind from the bowler, but the umpire shakes his head. Suryakumar Yadav intervenes and asks the keeper, Sanju Samson, if he should go for a review but decides not to take it in the end.

17.2: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, FOUR MORE! EXCELLENT EXECUTION! On a good length and outside off with mid off inside the circle, Aamir Kaleem uses his feet and smokes it over mid off for another boundary. Oman need 40 now off the last 16 balls.

17.1: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, FOUR! NICELY PLAYED! Change of pace, on a length and outside off, Aamir Kaleem shuffles across and scoops it to the right of short fine for a boundary. Oman need 44 in the last 17 balls.

After 17 overs, Oman are 141/1. India were 167/5 at the same stage. Aamir Kaleem is down on the ground and seems to be struggling with his hamstring. The physio is out to tend to him. Under warm and extremely humid conditions, the 43-year-old has indeed put on some hard yards. Sooner, he gets back on his feet and is good to continue. Harshit Rana is back on. 2-0-17-0 so far.

16.6: Arshdeep Singh to Aamir Kaleem, Executes his yorker, does Singh, around off, Aamir squeezes it to the left of deep third for one. Oman need 48 runs in the last three overs.

16.5: Arshdeep Singh to Aamir Kaleem, Hard length and outside off, with pace taken off, Aamir backs away and tries to adjust his shot. Goes for a cut but misses. Good comeback by Arshdeep.

16.4: Arshdeep Singh to Aamir Kaleem, FOUR! POWERED! Touch fuller and outside off, Aamir Kaleem crouches, picks it up and smashes it to the right of deep square leg for a one-bounce boundary. Oman need 49 more off the last 20 balls.

16.3: Arshdeep Singh to Hammad Mirza, Hard length and outside off, Mirza punches it down through cover point for one more.

16.2: Arshdeep Singh to Hammad Mirza, FOUR! BLITZED! Back of a length and wide outside off, Hammad Mirza throws his hands at it and slices it over backward point for a one-bounce boundary. Oman need more of this.

16.1: Arshdeep Singh to Hammad Mirza, Short of a length and down leg, Hammad Mirza gets across, swivels and looks to pull it but misses. 

After 16 overs, Oman are 131/1. At the same stage, India were 153/5. Arshdeep Singh returns into the attack. (2-0-15-0) so far. 

15.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Hammad Mirza, Almost carried! Kuldeep floats it up, full and around off, Hammad Mirza uses his feet and lofts it towards long off. The ball goes flat but lands just ahead of Tilak Varma there who collects it on the bounce. A single taken. Oman need 58 more in the last four overs.

15.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Aamir Kaleem, Full and wide outside off, drilled away through covers for one.

15.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Hammad Mirza, Slower and fuller, around middle, Mirza tries to slog it but mistimes it off the toe end of the bat. The ball goes uppishly to the right of long on but lands well ahead of the incoming fielder. A single taken.

15.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Hammad Mirza, Short and outside off, Mirza rocks back and punches it, but finds the cover fielder.

15.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Hammad Mirza, SIX MORE! Hammad Mirza is turning it on! Kuldeep tosses it up, full and around middle, Mirza gets down, picks it up and sweeps it over the deep square leg fence for another six. Oman need 61 more now off 28 balls.

15.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Hammad Mirza, SIX! SMOKED! Full and a bit outside off, Hammad Mirza gets across, goes deep in his crease and pumps it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Change? Yes, Kuldeep Yadav returns. 2-0-8-1 so far. Oman need 73 more in the last 30 balls.

14.6: Shivam Dube to Hammad Mirza, Touch full and around off, Hammad Mirza steers it through cover-point for a single. 16 runs off this over.

14.5: Shivam Dube to Aamir Kaleem, FIFTY FOR AAMIR KALEEM! Off just 38 deliveries. His 2nd half-century in T20Is! Short in length, outside off. Aamir Kaleem hangs deep in the crease and dabs it with soft hands to deep backward point for a single. Gets to the other end, removes the helmet, kneels down and kisses the surface. Indeed, a brilliantly constructed inning from the 43-year-old veteran!

14.4: Shivam Dube to Aamir Kaleem, SIX! KABOOM! Second six for Kaleem and this is turning out to be a very useful innings for him and his team! Into the slot, full and on middle. Aamir Kaleem clears the front leg and hoists it over deep mid-wicket for a massive six.

14.3: Shivam Dube to Aamir Kaleem, Outside off and full in length, Aamir Kaleem shuffles across to play the lap shot, but misses.

14.2: Shivam Dube to Aamir Kaleem, FOUR! SHOT! Angled across off, on a good length. Aamir Kaleem slashes it over covers for a cracking boundary. The 50-run partnership comes up between Kaleem and Hammad!

14.2: Shivam Dube to Aamir Kaleem, WIDE! Sprayed outside the tramline on the off side. Left alone. Wide called.

Oh, Axar Patel is going off the field, as he landed on his head while trying to take the catch, and the physio came out to have a check on him before taking him off the field. Not a good sign for India, and Varun Chakaravarthy is on the field instead of Axar.

14.1: Shivam Dube to Hammad Mirza, IN THE AIR... DROPPED! Axar Patel is the culprit and it seems that he has hurt his head badly out there. Banged short by Dube, outside off, Hammad Mirza tries to cut it square, but mistimes it up in the air, off the leading edge. The ball pops up and over the cover region. Axar Patel from point runs to his right and tries to catch. Gets into a bit of a juggling act. Fails on the first attempt, again fails on the second, tries the third time, but the ball pops in and out of the palms as he tumbles over. While doing so, his head gets banged on the surface. In the meantime, the batters cross each other thrice.

Change of ends for Shivam Dube. 2-0-15-0 so far. Oman need 89 runs off 36 balls.

13.6: Hardik Pandya to Aamir Kaleem, Swing and a miss on this occasion! Short of a length, just outside off. Aamir Kaleem again shapes to pull, but the ball nibbles away and gets beaten. 8 off this over and Hardik Pandya's figures so far read 3-0-20-0.

13.5: Hardik Pandya to Aamir Kaleem, EDGED, FOUR! Short from Pandya, on top of middle and off. Aamir Kaleem swivels to pull, but gets a top edge and the ball flies over the leaping Sanju Samson for a boundary. 100 UP FOR OMAN!

13.4: Hardik Pandya to Hammad Mirza, Fuller delivery, zeroing in on off. Hammad Mirza mistimes on the front foot. Chips it on the bounce to mid off for a single. 

13.3: Hardik Pandya to Hammad Mirza, On a good length, nipping in from off. Hammad Mirza plants the front foot ahead and steers it to deep backward point for a couple of runs. This partnership has added 39 runs off 30 balls so far.

13.2: Hardik Pandya to Aamir Kaleem, Angling outside off, on a good length. Aamir Kaleem slashes it wide of cover for a quick single. 

13.1: Hardik Pandya to Aamir Kaleem, Swing and a miss! Hard length, outside off, nipping away. Aamir Kaleem swivels to pull, but is beaten by the pace and bounce. 

Another change? Yes, Hardik Pandya returns. 2-0-12-0 so far. Oman need 97 runs off the last 42 balls.

12.6: Abhishek Sharma to Hammad Mirza, Sliding in with the arm, on a length, on middle. Hammad nudges it with soft hands to mid-wicket. 12 off this over, and 22 from the last two overs for Oman!

12.5: Abhishek Sharma to Hammad Mirza, Darted on a length, around off. Hammad Mirza is hurried on the back foot and punches it back to Sharma.

12.4: Abhishek Sharma to Hammad Mirza, FOUR! Finds the gap to perfection! 12 runs off the over so far and it is already Oman's best over so far. Short and wide outside off. Hammad Mirza hangs back and cuts it to the vacant deep backward point region for a boundary.

12.3: Abhishek Sharma to Aamir Kaleem, Wider and slower, outside off, cut towards widish point for a single. 

12.2: Abhishek Sharma to Aamir Kaleem, SIX! DISMISSED! Pushed through, full and around middle, from over the stumps. Aamir Kaleem reads the length early, and charges down the track. Gets the bat under the ball properly and sails it over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

12.1: Abhishek Sharma to Hammad Mirza, Around the stumps, full and on middle, Hammad Mirza leans on and drives it along the carpet to long off for a single.

Change. The skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, is trying everyone to bowl around, and now, Abhishek Sharma gets his chance to try out, rolling his left-arm spin. Oman need 109 runs off the last 48 balls.

11.6: Shivam Dube to Aamir Kaleem, Back of a length, outside off. Aamir Kaleem slashes hard off the back foot, to the right of deep cover. Arshdeep Singh runs to his right and fumbles in the field. This allows the batters to pinch in the second run. 10 off the over. 

11.5: Shivam Dube to Hammad Mirza, Fuller delivery on middle and leg. Hammad Mirza hits off the inner half of the bat to deep backward square leg for a single. 

11.4: Shivam Dube to Hammad Mirza, FOUR! Well played! Short from Dube, on top of the stumps. Hammad Mirza climbs on the bounce and ramps it over the keeper. The ball dribbles towards the fence. Harshit Rana from deep third runs and dives to his left to flick the ball in the playing area, but all in vain. 

11.3: Shivam Dube to Aamir Kaleem, On a length, and wide outside off. Aamir Kaleem shuffles across and looks to scoop, but the length is shortened by Dube. Kaleem slogs it over square leg for a single.

11.2: Shivam Dube to Hammad Mirza, Skids through the deck at 126.9 kph. Good length, on middle and leg. Hammad Mirza tries to work that to the leg side, but closes the bat face early and a thick leading edge is found. The ball flies over backward point and a single is taken.

11.1: Shivam Dube to Aamir Kaleem, Short of a length, across off. Aamir Kaleem slashes it to deep extra cover for a single. 

10.6: Tilak Varma to Hammad Mirza, FOUR! SHOT! Not too full, not too short, on the stumps. Hammad Mirza gets down on a knee and sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a boundary. 

10.5: Tilak Varma to Hammad Mirza, BUZZERS! Very casual in the fielding! Over the stumps, full and around off. Hammad Mirza pushes it to the left of the bowler. Tilak collects it to his left and throws it wayward, to the left of Sanju. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batters cross for a couple of runs by overthrows.

10.4: Tilak Varma to Aamir Kaleem, Darted on middle, on a fuller length, at 92.6 kph. Aamir Kaleem dances down the track and tries to heave, but mistimes off the inner half to deep square leg for one.

10.3: Tilak Varma to Aamir Kaleem, Looped full and outside off. Aamir Kaleem bends low and carves it back to the bowler.

10.2: Tilak Varma to Hammad Mirza, Full now, tossed up on middle. Hammad Mirza slogs it over mid on for a single. 

10.1: Tilak Varma to Hammad Mirza, Around the stumps, on a length, on the leg stump. Punched by Mirza to the bowler.

DRINKS BREAK. After the spin has been introduced, the scoring rate for Oman has evidently dipped. They have scored 18 runs off the last 4 overs, and have now lost their main man, the skipper, Jatinder Singh. Regardless, this is their best batting stint in this Asia Cup, and more importantly, against an opposition like India. Losing only 1 wicket at halfway is a huge achievement, indeed. The Indians would be hoping that the spinners do not let the runs leak in this middle phase and kill the game here itself. Another bowling change. More spin. Tilak Varma is called into the attack after the break. Oman need 127 runs off the last 60 balls.

9.6: Shivam Dube to Hammad Mirza, On a length and outside off, Hammad cuts it towards backward point where the fielder dives across to his right and makes a good stop. A single is taken as the ball parries away off his hands towards extra cover. Oman are 62/1 at the halfway mark, needing 127 runs more in the last ten overs.

9.5: Shivam Dube to Hammad Mirza, Nagging length and around off, Mirza rides the bounce and punches it down to cover.

9.4: Shivam Dube to Aamir Kaleem, On a length and around leg, whipped away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

9.3: Shivam Dube to Aamir Kaleem, On a length and outside off, angling away, Aamir looks to turn it into the leg side with a closed bat but gets a leading edge that runs down to the right of deep third. Two runs taken before Hardik Pandya could mop it up.

9.2: Shivam Dube to Hammad Mirza, Back of a length, angling in, around middle, Mirza tries to adjust his pull shot but the ball follows him. Catches up the top edge of the bat before deflecing beside the strip on the off side off his chest. A single taken.

9.1: Shivam Dube to Hammad Mirza, BEATEN! Hard length and outside off, Mirza throws his hands at it and looks to cut it, but connects with thin air only due to some extra bounce.

After 9 overs, Oman are 57/1. India, at the same stage, 86/3. A change in bowling as Shivam Dube is called into the attack. He replaces Axar Patel.

8.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Aamir Kaleem, Another appeal for LBW but the umpire shakes his head. Dragged back length and around off, Aamir Kaleem gets across on one knee and tries to play a slog-sweep but misses. Gets pinged on the front pad. It could be the impact again, outside off. Nonetheless, a successful over for India and Oman are 57/1.

8.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Aamir Kaleem, Short and around middle and leg, Aamir looks to swipe it across but misses. Gets hit on the outside of the front pad.

8.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Hammad Mirza, Pitched up and outside off, drilled down the ground to long off for a single.

Hammad Mirza is in at 3 for Oman!

8.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Jatinder Singh, OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! No need for any review on this occasion, and Kuldeep Yadav strikes, taking the first wicket for his side. Short and around off, on a flatter trajectory, skidding through and turning away. Jatinder Singh is rushed into the shot. He goes back and tries to play across the line. Loses his shape and misses on the outside edge, and the ball crashes onto the top of the off stump. Singh walks back for 32 (33), and Oman are 56/1, needing 133 more.

8.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Aamir Kaleem, Tossed it up and outside off, Aamir prods forward and drives it through covers for one.

8.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Aamir Kaleem, Massive appeal for LBW from the bowler and the keeper, but the umpire shakes his head. Kuldeep Yadav forces his skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, straightaway to go for a review and India go upstairs. A bit short and around off, turning into the batter. Aamir Kaleem sits down and tries to drag it with a sweep but misses. Gets hit on the ribs. The third umpire is called in and there is nothing on the UltraEdge. However, the Ball Tracking shows that the ball has pitched outside off and the impact is outside off as well. India lose a review and the on-field call stays.

After 8 overs, Oman are 55/0. They need 134 runs to win from 72 balls. At the same stage, India were 75/3. Kuldeep Yadav (1-0-6-0) to continue with a slip in place.

7.6: Axar Patel to Jatinder Singh, Excellent review from Jatinder Singh! Slower and a bit shorter, around middle and leg, creating an angle from wide of the crease. Jatinder Singh sits down, changes his stance and grip for a reverse-sweep but plays all over it. Seems to have gotten a faint edge off the gloves and the keeper, Sanju Samson moves to his left, pouches it. India appeal and the umpire raises his finger. However, Singh doesn't take much time to refer it upstairs. Nothing comes on the UltraEdge. Now, there is a check for LBW, and the Ball Tracking shows that it would have missed the leg stump. The on-field call gets overturned and Singh survives.

7.5: Axar Patel to Jatinder Singh, Nagging length and around middle, dropped down back to the bowler off the toe end of the bat.

7.4: Axar Patel to Jatinder Singh, Dragged back, around off, Jatinder Singh switches his stance again and looks to reverse-sweep it but wears it on his right bicep.

7.3: Axar Patel to Jatinder Singh, Short and wide outside off, Singh leaves it in thinking of getting a wide but the umpire deems it a legal delivery.

7.2: Axar Patel to Jatinder Singh, FOUR! CHEEKY AND EFFECTIVE! Slower and fuller, around middle, Jatinder Singh switches his stance and grip. Reverse-sweep it over backward point for a boundary.

7.1: Axar Patel to Jatinder Singh, Begins with an arm ball, full and outside off, Singh throws his hands at it but just pushes it back to the bowler off the toe end of the bat.

After 7 overs, Oman are 51/0. At the same stage, India were 72/1. Spin in tandem now. Axar Patel replaces Harshit Rana.

6.6: Kuldeep Yadav to Jatinder Singh, Short and around middle, knocked down to long on for a single. Oman are 51/0, needing 138 runs in the 13 overs.

6.5: Kuldeep Yadav to Jatinder Singh, Dragged length and around middle, Singh sits down for a reverse-sweep but gets a top edge. Luckily for him, the ball lands well ahead of short third. 

6.4: Kuldeep Yadav to Aamir Kaleem, Bye! Oh, nearly a chopped on! Slower and a bit shorter, around off, Aamir Kaleem crouches and looks to cut it but the ball is close to his body. Misses his shot and even the keeper fails to grab it. Parries it towards short fine and they take a bye. The 50 is up for Oman!

6.3: Kuldeep Yadav to Aamir Kaleem, BEATEN! Nagging length and outside off, turning away, Aamir Kaleem sits down and tries to attempt a slog-sweep but misses.

6.2: Kuldeep Yadav to Jatinder Singh, Slower, shorter and around leg, flicked away to deep square leg for one.

6.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Aamir Kaleem, Touch short, and around middle, skidding on, Aamir goes back, opens his stance and mistimes his pull shot off the toe end of the bat towards square leg for one. 

6.1: Kuldeep Yadav to Aamir Kaleem, Begins with a loopy, full ball, around off, Aamir Kaleem clips it in the gap with soft hands towards deep square leg and picks up two runs. Good running between the wickets. Uh-oh, Kuldeep Yadav has overstepped and it is called a NO BALL. A Free-Hit is coming up...

With 44/0 on the board, this is Oman's best Powerplay score in this Asia Cup. They have managed to cross the 40-run figure all three times. 40/2 against Pakistan, and 41/4 against the UAE. Time for spin as Kuldeep Yadav is introduced into the attack. He replaces Arshdeep Singh.

5.6: Harshit Rana to Jatinder Singh, FOUR! PUNISHED! Another short delivery, around off, Jatinder Singh is expecting that length as he takes a couple of steps forward. Gets on top of the bounce and pulls it down through the gap between mid on and mid-wicket for a cracking boundary. Oman end their Powerplay with a score of 44/0, needing 145 more runs in the last 14 overs.

5.5: Harshit Rana to Jatinder Singh, Back of a length and outside off, Singh gets on top of the bounce this time and flat-bats it off the toe end of the bat to extra cover. Played like a tennis forehand. 

5.4: Harshit Rana to Jatinder Singh, BEATEN! Short of a length with some extra bounce, outside off, Jatinder Singh gets across, goes deep in his crease and looks to cut it but gets beaten past the outside edge of the bat due to that extra bounce.

The physio from the Oman dugout rushes out for a mandatory concussion test for Aamir Kaleem. He looks fine to continue after gulping in a few sips of water. 

5.3: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, Another hitting the deck delivery, short and around leg, Aamir tries to pick it up but mistimes his shot. The ball takes the top edge of the bat and hits him on the grill of the helmet. Luckily for him, the ball goes in the vacant short fine region and they take a single. The mandatory concussion test is going on as the physio is out down there.

So far, so good from Oman. They have started on an impressive note against the Indian pace attack.

5.3: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, WIDE! Rana bends his back and bowls a short delivery, down leg, Aamir Kaleem swivels to pull but misses. Wide given.

5.2: Harshit Rana to Jatinder Singh, Full and wide outside off, Jatinder Singh shuffles and tries to scoop it but gets a bottom edge which gets deflected towards backward point off his front pad. Takes a quick single and the fielder misses to score a direct hit at the bowling end.

5.1: Harshit Rana to Jatinder Singh, FOUR! CRUNCHED! Back of a length and outside off, Jatinder Singh rises with the bouce and cuts it, finding the gap between backward point and extra cover for a boundary.

4.6: Arshdeep Singh to Jatinder Singh, Around the stumps now. Short and angling into the batter. Jatinder Singh stands tall and pulls it over mid-wicket. The ball, however, just loses its steam on the way to the ropes and is chased by Shubman Gill from the inner ring. He flicks the ball into the playing area but runs into the ropes with the momentum. The other incoming fielder gathers it and throws it back to the keeper. The batters, in the meantime, cross each other thrice. 6 off this over as well. 156 needed for Oman in 90 balls.

4.5: Arshdeep Singh to Jatinder Singh, Slants it outside off, too full, almost a yorker at 128.8 kph. Singh jams the bat down and shovels it to the off side.

4.4: Arshdeep Singh to Jatinder Singh, Nagging length, on top of middle, at 129.7 kph. Jatinder Singh gets right behind it and bunts it down the pitch.

4.4: Arshdeep Singh to Jatinder Singh, WIDE! Over-the-head bumper, on middle. Jatinder Singh sways away from the line to leave. Wide called for height. The leg umpire signals this as a first-bouncer.

4.3: Arshdeep Singh to Jatinder Singh, BEATEN! Slows it up, does Arshdeep, on a good length, around off. Jatinder Singh does not read the pace off the ball and is beaten on the outside edge as he tries to steer it to the off side.

4.2: Arshdeep Singh to Aamir Kaleem, IN THE AIR... Lands safe! Short and outside off. Kaleem arches back a bit and cuts it uppishly behind point for a single.

4.1: Arshdeep Singh to Jatinder Singh, Short of a good length, angling away from middle. Jatinder Singh plays off the back foot and taps it to deep point for an easy single.

Change. Arshdeep Singh returns. 1-0-9-0 so far.

3.6: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, Fuller delivery, around off, Kaleem forces it out to the cover region. 6 off Rana's first over. Oman need 162 runs off 96 balls.

3.5: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, Back of a length, around off, Aamir Kaleem plays it late and runs it behind to deep third. The man from deep backward point cuts it off to his right. Two taken. 

3.4: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, FOUR! Races away! Short but on the leg stump line. All Aamir did was help the ball using its pace, with the pull shot. Finds the fence at deep fine leg. 

3.3: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, A half-hearted appeal for caught behind, but only Rana looks interested. Continues to bang short into the pitch, on the stumps. Aamir Kaleem swivels to pull, but misses as the ball bounces above his angled bat. Sanju Samson collects the ball behind the stumps and straightaway gestures that he didn't hear anything. 

3.2: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, Hits the deck very hard, short and angling away from the batter. Aamir Kaleem stays leg side and tries to push from the crease, hanging the bat away from the body. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

3.1: Harshit Rana to Aamir Kaleem, Rana begins from over the stumps and slams the deck hard, on a short length, on middle, generating some extra kick as well. Aamir Kaleem is rushed to play the pull shot, but misses to connect.

Change. Harshit Rana is introduced into the attack.

2.6: Hardik Pandya to Jatinder Singh, BEATEN! Hardik goes full and outside off, and extracts a sharp outswing as well. Jatinder Singh goes fishing at it without getting to the pitch of the ball and is beaten on the outside edge. Just 4 off Hardik's second over. His figures read 2-0-12-0 so far. Oman ned 168 runs to win off 102 balls.

2.5: Hardik Pandya to Jatinder Singh, FOUR! Something had to give and Singh gets it through this time! Back of a length, just outside off. Jatinder Singh weighs on the back foot and punches it through the cover and point gap for a boundary. Classic back foot punch from the Omani skipper.

2.4: Hardik Pandya to Jatinder Singh, Make that four dots in a row! Pressure building! Full and straight, at 129.3 kph, on middle. Jatinder Singh knocks it back to the bowler with a straight bat.

2.3: Hardik Pandya to Jatinder Singh, Three dots on the trot from Hardik! He keeps attacking the off stump, on a hard length. Jatinder Singh hops off and punches it firmly to cover.

2.2: Hardik Pandya to Jatinder Singh, A gentle outswinger, full and around off, Jatinder Singh waits for it and taps it to the point region with soft hands.

2.1: Hardik Pandya to Jatinder Singh, Full and aimed at the off-pole, Jatinder Singh plays from the crease and knocks it straight to cover.

1.6: Arshdeep Singh to Aamir Kaleem, Wide outside off, on a good length. Aamir Kaleem throws his bat at it by extending his arms and lofts it over cover-point for a couple of runs. Arshdeep Singh goes for 9 off his first over. Oman need 172 runs to win off 108 balls.

1.5: Arshdeep Singh to Aamir Kaleem, Swing and a miss! Shaping away from off, on a fuller length. Aamir Kaleem's feet go nowhere and tries to force it through the off side, but does not account for the ball curving away late. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

1.4: Arshdeep Singh to Jatinder Singh, Bowls the short stuff, at 136.4 kph, on the bodyline. Jatinder Singh controls the pull shot to deep square leg for a single.

1.3: Arshdeep Singh to Jatinder Singh, FOUR! Positive intent! Singh again walks forward a couple of steps and drills this full ball down to the left of mid on for a boundary. It's hit a bit uppishly, but well wide of the man at mid on. 

1.2: Arshdeep Singh to Jatinder Singh, Oh, this one swings the other way, full and around off. Jatinder Singh is not in full control, but manages to chip it over and behind cover for a couple of runs.

1.1: Arshdeep Singh to Jatinder Singh, Starts off on the money, does Singh! At 133.8 kph, swinging in from middle, full in length. Jatinder Singh gets down to the pitch to negate the swing and hits it off the toe end of the bat. The ball rolls off the boot to the bowler.

Arshdeep Singh will bowl from the other end.

0.6: Hardik Pandya to Jatinder Singh, On a good length, outside off, shaping away. Jatinder Singh rocks back and cuts it behind backward point for an easy single. 8 off the first over! Oman need 181 runs to win off 114 balls!

0.5: Hardik Pandya to Jatinder Singh, BEATEN! Snorter of a delivery! Outswinger, full and outside off. Jatinder Singh hangs the bat away from the body, barely moving the foot to the pitch of the ball. Gets beaten on the outside edge as the ball shapes away late.

0.4: Hardik Pandya to Aamir Kaleem, Onto the bodyline, tucking him up for room with a hint of inswing. Aamir Kaleem wrists it across to the widish mid-wicket region for a single, taking on Dube's arm, but makes it home safely.

0.4: Hardik Pandya to Aamir Kaleem, WIDE! Reload! Short and down leg, kicking off the deck. Aamir Kaleem swivels to pull, but misses. Wide called.

0.3: Hardik Pandya to Aamir Kaleem, FOUR! The first boundary of the chase and Aamir is off the mark! Outside off, on a tad fuller length. Aamir Kaleem makes a good connection, and lofts it over covers for a boundary.

0.2: Hardik Pandya to Aamir Kaleem, Shapes back in with some bounce, at 129.4 kph, on middle. Aamir Kaleem hangs deep inside the crease and bunts it off the splice of the bat.

0.1: Hardik Pandya to Jatinder Singh, Oman and Jatinder are off the mark! Fuller ball, around off, shaping away slightly. Jatinder Singh gets on the front foot and pushes it to the right of the diving short cover fielder for a single.

Back with the chase! The Indian players walk out, led by their skipper, Suryakumar Yadav. Also, walk out the two openers of Oman where Jatinder Singh will open the innings alongside Aamir Kaleem. The target of 189, which will need some special efforts in the batting against a formidable Indian bowling lineup. Hardik Pandya will start the proceedings. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, 189 is still a fairly big total to chase down, even according to modern-day T20 standards, especially on this sort of surface. We did see some grip and turn in the deck and some help early on for the pacers as well. Oman will need to bat out of their skins to even get close to the target against a formidable bowling lineup, even one that is lacking the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy. With that said, this should be an interesting chase as Oman will try to pull off a major upset. Don't go anywhere as the chase is up next. 

Oman also had nothing to lose and all to gain from this encounter and they did showcase their skills in patches. Shah Faisal got the ball to swing early on and even knocked over Gill and did a decent job at the death as well. The spinners couldn't quite do a containing job early on but in the middle phase, the wickets did come. Aamir Kaleem used all of his experience and left-arm pacer Jiten Ramanandi did well to send back two Indian batters in the same over and followed it up with two more dismissals at the death. Overall, there were a few too many wides and boundaries conceded, which can hurt Oman and they ended up conceding a fairly substantial total on this deck.

With the top place in the group guaranteed and nothing to lose, India had the freedom to go out and test their deep batting order. This was evident from the first ball, which Abhishek Sharma attacked without any fruitful result but he lost his opening partner, Shubman Gill, pretty early on. Samson was promoted to number 3 and the duo of Sharma and Samson stitched together a 66-run stand. However, India lost two quick wickets before Axar Patel walked in and provided some more impetus to the innings. Samson held up one end but once again, India lost a couple of wickets in quick succession. Samson hobbled his way to a well-compiled half-century as Tilak Varma took on the mantle of hitting the big shots. Towards the end, India simply lost too many wickets and the only one to not get a hit was skipper Suryakumar Yadav who generally plays at number 3 but held himself back for last.

Well, that was an interesting innings to say the least. The wheels really came off towards the end and what seemed to be a cruise to a score beyond 200 for India have ended up being 188. India did falter but credit must go to Oman as well to pull things back in the middle phase and even pick up those wickets at the death.

19.6: Shah Faisal to Harshit Rana, SIX! GEEZ! ENDED WITH A BIGGIE! On a good length and wide outside off, Harshit Rana reaches out for it, and smacks it inside out over sweeper covers for a massive six. India finish with a total of 188/8 on the board.

19.5: Shah Faisal to Harshit Rana, Shot of a good length and around middle, Rana backs away, opens his stance and tries to drag it into the leg side but misses.

19.4: Shah Faisal to Harshit Rana, Excellent running! Much fuller, around leg, Rana tries to drill but gets it off the toe end of the bat towards mid off. Two runs taken before the long off fielder could come up to get to the ball and throw it to the keeper.

19.3: Shah Faisal to Kuldeep Yadav, Finally, Kuldeep connects! A bit fuller and outside off, Yadav tucks it towards backward square leg for a single.

19.2: Shah Faisal to Kuldeep Yadav, On a length and outside off, seems to be another slower one, Yadav gets across and tries to go for a slog across the line but misses again.

19.1: Shah Faisal to Kuldeep Yadav, Nagging length and outside off, Kuldeep Yadav throws his hands at it and looks to cut it but misses.

It seems like Suryakumar Yadav truly meant what he said at the toss and India are testing their batting depth all the way down the order as well. Kuldeep Yadav walks out to bat at number 10. Also, Shah Faisal to bowl the final over of the first inning. 3-0-14-2 so far.

18.6: Jiten Ramanandi to Harshit Rana, OUT! ARSHDEEP SINGH IS RUN OUT! Oh, an action replay kind of dismissal again for India. Very good yorker, around middle, Rana drills it back to the bowler, where Jiten Ramanandi extends both his hands to his left on his follow-through to make a stop but ends up parrying behind to hit the stumps at the bowling end. Arshdeep Singh has taken a couple of steps forward for the run and is found short. The third umpire is called in and he deems it OUT. India are 179/8.

Is that out? It looks like Jiten Ramanandi has done it again. Two deflected run-outs in the same game. How often does that happen? The third umpire is called in to have a look and replays do confirm that Arshdeep Singh was just outside the crease at the bowler's end, when the bails came off. OUT!

18.5: Jiten Ramanandi to Harshit Rana, Sloppy! On a length and outside off, Harshit Rana clears his front leg away and mistimes his shot towards long off where the fielder makes a fumble as he comes forward to attempt for a catch but ends up allowing the second run.

18.4: Jiten Ramanandi to Arshdeep Singh, Full and around off, Singh drills it to the right of the bowler for a single.

Finally, the Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav walks out to bat. Oh, wait, SKY has his pads on but it is Arshdeep Singh who comes in.

18.3: Jiten Ramanandi to Tilak Varma, OUT! TAKEN! Well-judged catch by Zikriya Islam and Tilak Varma departs for 29 (18). On the fuller side and outside off, angling away from the batter. Tilak Varma goes deep in his crease and opens his stance to smash it over covers. Doesn't hold his shape well and mistimes it off the toe end of the bat. The ball flies over cover where Zikriya Islam keeps his eyes on the ball, makes a loud call for the catch, and runs to his left a bit before taking it over his head. He tumbles down onto the ground but keeps the grip of his hands closed. India are 176/7 down now!

18.2: Jiten Ramanandi to Harshit Rana, Change of pace again, on a length and outside off, dabbed down towards backward point for a quick single.

18.1: Jiten Ramanandi to Tilak Varma, Slower and on a length, outside off, dragged away to deep mid-wicket for one.

18.1: Jiten Ramanandi to Tilak Varma, WIDE! Full but wide outside the tramline on the off side. Varma switches his stance for a reverse-sweep but leaves in the end as it is too wide. The third umpire is called in to have a check whether the ball has pitched inside the 22-yard strip or not. He confirms it as a WIDE.

17.6: Shah Faisal to Harshit Rana, Excellent running! On a length and around off, Rana clips it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and calls his partner for the second. They get to their respective ends before the fielder could throw the ball to the bowling end. India are 173/6.

17.5: Shah Faisal to Harshit Rana, Back of a length and around off, with some extra bounce, Rana tries to play it away from his body but gets beaten past the outside edge.

Still, no signs of the Indian skipper as Harshit Rana has been sent out to bat at number 8.

17.4: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, OUT! CAUGHT! This is just brilliant bowling from Shah Faisal and Sanju Samson departs for 56 (45). On a length, angling across the batter, outside off but with pace taken off. Sanju Samson shuffles and gets close to the ball. Tries to slog it with a cross-batted shot but gets deceived by the lack of pace on it. The ball gets skied up off the top edge of the bat towards deep square leg where Aryan Bisht moves a bit forward and pouches it. India are 171/6.

17.3: Shah Faisal to Tilak Varma, Executes a yorker, just outside off, Varma only manages to drill it to the right of the bowler. A single taken as long off cuts it off.

17.2: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, Another low full toss, but with pace off, around off, Sanju crouches a bit and drills it off the toe end of the bat to deep mid-wicket for one.

17.1: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, Bowled it full and outside off, Samson gets across and whips it to the right of long on to pick up two runs.

16.6: Jiten Ramanandi to Sanju Samson, Goes for a yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, outside off, heaved away off the inside half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a single. India are 167/5.

16.5: Jiten Ramanandi to Sanju Samson, FOUR! SLICED! FIFTY FOR SAMSON! A low full toss, wide outside off, Sanju Samson throws his hands at it and gets it sliced to the right of short third for a boundary to bring his milestone. His 3rd T20I fifty and this has been a bit slow innings compared to his standards but India would hope that he stays till the end to make it a big one. Raises his bat to soak in the applause. 

16.4: Jiten Ramanandi to Tilak Varma, Back of a length and outside off, dragged down to deep mid-wicket with a pull shot for a single.

16.3: Jiten Ramanandi to Tilak Varma, SIX! TONKED! Full and around off, Tilak Varma shifts his weight on the front foot and clubs it down the ground over the sightscreen for a biggie.

16.2: Jiten Ramanandi to Sanju Samson, Leg bye! Pace off, full and around leg, Sanju Samson clears out his front leg and tries to belt it into the leg side but gets deceived by the lack of pace on it. Gets rapped on back leg and the ball gets deflected towards short third. A leg bye is taken but there is an appeal for LBW from the bowler. The umpire shakes his head. Could be pitching outside leg. Oman aren't thinking for a review either.

16.1: Jiten Ramanandi to Tilak Varma, On a length and outside off, Varma gets across and uses his wrists to turn it towards square leg for one.

15.6: Aamir Kaleem to Tilak Varma, Nagging length and wide outside off, Tilak shuffles and reaches out with his extended arms to slap it through covers for one. India are 153/5.

15.5: Aamir Kaleem to Tilak Varma, Short and outside off, Varma again attempts a reverse-sweep but fails to lay any bat on the ball on this occasion.

15.4: Aamir Kaleem to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Not a great follow-up delivery! A full toss, outside off, Tilak Varma changes his stance and grip to reverse-sweep it. Though he doesn't connect well but still gets some bat on it to get the ball past the short third fielder to his right for a boundary. This brings up the 150 for India!

15.3: Aamir Kaleem to Tilak Varma, SIX! BELTED! Full, in the slot, around middle, Tilak Varma gets down on one knee, picks it up and muscles it down the ground over the long on fence for a biggie.

15.2: Aamir Kaleem to Sanju Samson, Slower through the air, full and outside off, Sanju pushes it towards cover and sneaks a quick single. He is clearly struggling to find the timing.

15.1: Aamir Kaleem to Tilak Varma, Flatter, full down leg, tries to follow the batter, Tilak Varma backs away and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

There seems to be a stoppage in play. It is quite hot and humid out there and Sanju Samson is definitely feeling the heat. The batters are getting rehydrated and the physio is also out to check on Sanju. Thankfully, it all looks fine and we are good to continue.

14.6: Zikriya Islam to Tilak Varma, Lands it full and outside off, drilled down to long off for a single more. India are 140/5.

14.5: Zikriya Islam to Sanju Samson, Bye! Seam-up delivery, full and outside off, Sanju Samson tries to drive it on the up but gets beaten past the outside edge. The keeper moves to his right but fails to grab the ball. conceding a bye, as the ball gets deflected towards short fine off his pads.

14.4: Zikriya Islam to Tilak Varma, Quicker, full and around off, Varma changes his stance and grip to reverse-sweep it but gets it off the gloves. Luckily for him, the ball lands before short third. A single taken.

14.3: Zikriya Islam to Tilak Varma, Dragged back length and outside off, Tilak Varma gets down to sweep it but gets a top edge which flies over short fine leg. Two runs taken before the short fine leg fielder mops it up.

14.2: Zikriya Islam to Tilak Varma, A bit shorter and touch outside off, Tilak presses back and eases it to the right of the bowler.

14.1: Zikriya Islam to Sanju Samson, Much shorter and around middle, Samson knocks it down to long off for a single.

Zikriya Islam to continue. He went for 14 runs in his first over but conceded only 4 runs in his previous over.

13.6: Aamir Kaleem to Tilak Varma, Short and around middle, Tilak Varma gets down and swipes it to the right of deep square leg for two runs. 5 runs from this over. Just 9 from the last two overs for India. Another successful over for Oman and India are 134/5.

13.5: Aamir Kaleem to Sanju Samson, Around off, pushed away through covers for a single more.

13.4: Aamir Kaleem to Tilak Varma, Short and outside off, Varma punches it down to long on for a single to open his account.

13.3: Aamir Kaleem to Tilak Varma, Tossed it up and aruond off, pushed back to the bowler off the front foot.

Tilak Varma walks out to bat, in at number 7.

13.2: Aamir Kaleem to Shivam Dube, OUT! TAKEN! GONE! Aamir Kaleem strikes and Shivam Dube's short stay comes to an end. Kaleem fires in full and outside off, getting it to skid through the deck. Shivam Dube crouches a bit and plants his one knee down to take on the bowler. But he mistimes it off the toe end of the bat as the ball grips onto the pitch and goes flat towards long off where Jatinder Singh takes an easy catch around his chest. Brings out a cool celebration, reviving the memories, just like Shikhar Dhawan used to after taking a catch. Shivam Dube departs for 5 (8) and India are 130/5.

13.1: Aamir Kaleem to Sanju Samson, A chance and dropped. Short and outside off, Sanju Samson hangs back and tries to go for a big lofted shot over covers but ends up slicing it towards cover-point. The fielder runs over his right shoulder and extends both his hands to take the catch but the ball pops out and spills down. A single taken. How costly can it prove? Oman will know in a bit.

12.6: Zikriya Islam to Shivam Dube, Flighted ball around off, Dube plays a deft touch towards short third and looks for a quick single but Samson sends him back.

12.5: Zikriya Islam to Sanju Samson, Quick and a bit short, fired across the right-hander. Samson fetches and pulls it in front of mid-wicket for a single.

12.4: Zikriya Islam to Shivam Dube, A bit fuller, fired in outside off, hit away stylishly through the cover region for a single. Dube thinks about the second run for a split second but decides against it.

12.3: Zikriya Islam to Shivam Dube, Dragged length again and outside off, eased away into the off side for another dot ball.

12.2: Zikriya Islam to Shivam Dube, Nicely bowled! Slows it up, drags the length back and gets it to turn and bounce as well. Dube looks to nudge it behind point but is beaten past the outside edge.

12.1: Zikriya Islam to Shivam Dube, Full and wide outside off, Dube leans across and drives it wide of long off for a couple of runs.

11.6: Aamir Kaleem to Shivam Dube, Flatter delivery outside off, Dube hangs back and taps it towards deep cover for one more. A wicket and 13 runs off the over.

11.5: Aamir Kaleem to Sanju Samson, Bowled well short and outside off, Samson just rocks back and punches it through covers for a single.

11.4: Aamir Kaleem to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Edged away! Angled in from around the stumps, a bit full and a bit wide outside off. Sanju Samson throws his bat at it and gets an outside edge that runs fine of the short third fielder and rolls away into the fence.

11.3: Aamir Kaleem to Shivam Dube, Comes over the wicket and floats it on a length, wide outside off. Shivam Dube cuts it past point for a single into the deep.

Shivam Dube walks in at number 6. 

11.2: Aamir Kaleem to Axar Patel, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Brilliant take from the keeper! Aamir Kaleem fires this one in from around the wicket, sliding it across the left-hander. Not short enough to cut but Axar Patel goes after it anyway. Patel gets a faint inside edge and Vinayak Shukla shows quick hands to reach low to his left and pouch it. Axar departs for 26 (13) and India are now 118/4 in the 12th over.

11.1: Aamir Kaleem to Axar Patel, SIX! No respite for the new bowler! Full and on the leg stump, Axar Patel sits down and slog sweeps it away, well over deep mid-wicket and onto the grass banks for a biggie.

10.6: Shakeel Ahmed to Axar Patel, A touch fuller and outside off, hit on the up and through covers for a single. Patel's moved into the 20s now.

10.5: Shakeel Ahmed to Axar Patel, FOUR! Sublime timing! Too short again and wide outside off, Axar Patel goes back in the crease and powers it well wide of the long off fielder for another boundary.

10.5: Shakeel Ahmed to Axar Patel, Wide! Back to over the wicket now, bowls it short and wide outside off. Too wide for the umpire's liking.

10.4: Shakeel Ahmed to Axar Patel, FOUR! Axar goes straight again and splits the fielders again! Stays around the wicket to the left-hander as well and looks to bowl it full and straight. Axar Patel reads it early and hammers it back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

10.3: Shakeel Ahmed to Sanju Samson, Quick and full, around off, drilled down to long off for a single.

10.2: Shakeel Ahmed to Sanju Samson, Around the wicket to the right-hander and fires in a yorker on off stump. Samson tries to clear the front leg but can't get under the ball and jams it back to the bowler.

10.1: Shakeel Ahmed to Axar Patel, Fired in, short and wide outside off, smacked away down to deep cover for just a single.

DRINKS BREAK. India are cruising ahead with a run rate of exactly 10 runs per over, but they have lost 3 big wickets en route. That's how massively a positive and intent-laden start helps for a team. Abhishek Sharma went all guns blazing while Sanju Samson struggled early doors. And now, Samson is looking much better and settled, and these two will aim to construct a stable partnership for a huge score. For Oman, they won't be very displeased with where they are currently. Yes, they have leaked runs, but have been impressive in patches. They have displayed good commitment in the field, one of which was Hardik Pandya's run out off Jiten Ramanandi and a few more instances where they have saved runs in the ground fielding. If they manage to bowl a couple of quiet overs, and get quick wickets, they actually have a huge opportunity to restrict India below 200. But if India continue to go at this rate, with SKY, Tilak, and Shivam Dube yet to bat, even that score looks dwarfed. Shakeel Ahmed is back into the attack after the break. 

9.6: Zikriya Islam to Sanju Samson, Streaky from Samson! Islam keeps it nice and full and angles it across the batter. Sanju Samson tries to hang back and drag it leg side but gets an inside edge that rolls down to fine leg for a brace. The 100 also comes up for India with that!

9.5: Zikriya Islam to Sanju Samson, A bit fuller and angled across the right-hander, Samson looks to slog across the line and loses his shape, getting beaten past the outside edge.

9.4: Zikriya Islam to Sanju Samson, SIX! Easy power from Sanju! Not all that full and around off, Samson stands tall and smacks it straight and flat over the bowler's head for another six.

9.4: Zikriya Islam to Sanju Samson, Looks to fire it full and wide outside off but this one eludes the tramline and catches the keeper by surprise as well, rolling towards deep third. It is called a wide and the batters pick up two runs as well.

9.3: Zikriya Islam to Axar Patel, Shorter in length, angled into the batter, Patel backs away and punches it down to long off and picks up another single.

9.2: Zikriya Islam to Sanju Samson, Around middle and leg, Sanju taps it across through mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

9.1: Zikriya Islam to Axar Patel, Nice and full on middle, sliding in with the angle. Patel pushes it towards mid on for a single.

8.6: Samay Shrivastava to Axar Patel, Nagging length around off, this one grips a bit and turns away from the left-hander. Patel rocks back and pats it past point for a single.

This has been a pretty good little phase for Oman. They will look to string in a few quiet overs here.

8.6: Samay Shrivastava to Axar Patel, Wide! Flatter delivery, spilled well down the leg side for another extra run.

8.5: Samay Shrivastava to Sanju Samson, Tossed up around leg, looking to turn it across but Samson lunges across and pushes it through wide mid on for one more.

8.4: Samay Shrivastava to Axar Patel, Shorter in length and wide outside off, tapped away in front of point for a single.

8.4: Samay Shrivastava to Axar Patel, Wide! Floated up, on a length and down the leg side. Patel leaves it alone for a wide.

8.3: Samay Shrivastava to Axar Patel, Nicely bowled! Bowled from the front of the hand, quicker as well and around off. Axar gets pegged on the back foot and the ball zips past the outside edge.

8.2: Samay Shrivastava to Axar Patel, FOUR! Nicely struck! Tossed up around off, Patel leans across and slaps it with the turn and back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

8.1: Samay Shrivastava to Axar Patel, Flighted ball, full and wide outside off, Axar Patel lunges across and caresses it towards deep extra cover for a couple of runs.

Samay Shrivastava to continue. 1-0-12-0 so far.

7.6: Jiten Ramanandi to Sanju Samson, Back of a length and around off, Samson hops up, trying to force it square on the off side but fails to beat the infield. Just 3 runs and 2 wickets in that over for Oman.

7.5: Jiten Ramanandi to Sanju Samson, Takes pace off again and bowls it full on off. Samson comes forward to drive but is completely undone and gets beaten on the outside edge.

7.4: Jiten Ramanandi to Sanju Samson, Good, positive running! A bit slower and fuller around off, hammered away wide of long off for a couple of runs by Sanju Samson.

Reshuffling the batting order, are India. Axar Patel is in at 5.

7.3: Jiten Ramanandi to Sanju Samson, OUT! HARDIK PANDYA IS RUN OUT! Wow, that is unfortunate for the batter but a brilliant piece of reflex action from Jiten Ramanandi as well. Jiten bowls this one on a dragged length over off and middle and Sanju Samson looks to pull but ends up hitting it flat and straight back to the bowler. Jiten does well to get low to his left on the follow-through and gets a left hand on it. The ball deflects onto the stumps at the non-striker's end, and Hardik Pandya is standing well outside the crease. It is checked by the third umpire but Pandya knows he's out and starts walking right away. Pandya departs after a very short stay. 1 off 1 for him tonight. From 72/1, India have slipped down to 73/3. 

Run out at the bowler's end? Jiten Ramanandi is celebrating already, and Hardik Pandya has started to walk back to the dugout. The only thing to check was whether the ball deflected off the fingers of the bowler. The replay shows that it did deflect and Hardik is out by a fair margin when the ball breaks the stumps at the bowler's end.

7.2: Jiten Ramanandi to Hardik Pandya, Good-length delivery, in the channel, Hardik Pandya leans on and pushes it towards extra cover for a quick single.

Hardik Pandya has been promoted to number 4, over Tilak.

7.1: Jiten Ramanandi to Abhishek Sharma, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! You live by the sword and die by it as well. Jiten Ramanandi bends his back a bit more and serves an outswinger. This is bowled on a good length and wide outside off. Abhishek Sharma throws his hands at it but his feet go nowhere and he ends up nicking it behind to the keeper. Vinayak Shukla makes no mistake and Oman get their second wicket as Sharma departs for a fiery 38 off 15 balls. India are 72/2.

6.6: Samay Shrivastava to Sanju Samson, And again! On the shorter side and outside off, Sanju Samson looks to go hard at it but fails to beat Jatinder Singh at covers once again. Samay Shrivastava does well to get out of that over with 3 dots after the early carnage.

6.5: Samay Shrivastava to Sanju Samson, Should have been put away! Short and wide outside off, begging to be hit. Sanju reaches for it and hits it towards cover.

6.4: Samay Shrivastava to Sanju Samson, Shortish length around off, punched away straight to covers.

6.3: Samay Shrivastava to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Oh, that won't please the bowler one bit! A googly now, short and outside off, Sanju waits back again and slaps it over covers. The fielder in the deep gets to the ball to his right but gets undone by the spin and also slips, conceding a boundary.

6.2: Samay Shrivastava to Sanju Samson, SIX! BANG! Nicely tossed up, but just too full. Sanju Samson hangs back in the crease and reads the leg-break, smashing it straight back over the bowler's head for a biggie. Samson is now starting to get going.

6.1: Samay Shrivastava to Sanju Samson, Tosses the ball up, a bit full and outside off, Samson waits back and cuts it firmly behind point for a couple of runs.

India are 60/1 after the Powerplay, a brisk start, but only Abhishek Sharma is hitting the ball around the park, while Sanju Samson has struggled to time the ball on the other end. With that, Samay Shrivastava comes into the attack.

5.6: Jiten Ramanandi to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! LONG AND FAR! A gentle-paced delivery by Jiten. Full and just around the off pole, another slower one by the looks of it. Abhishek Sharma waits for it and effortlessly sails it over long off for a huge six. 11 runs off Jiten's first over. This also brings up the 50-run partnership between Samson and Abhishek. India end their Powerplay at 60/1. 

5.5: Jiten Ramanandi to Sanju Samson, Full and pitched outside leg, an off cutter. Sanju Samson shuffles to the leg side, and drives it straight down the ground. Jiten Ramanandi bends low to his right and half-stops on the dive. Parries the ball right behind him and allows the batters to cross for a single.

5.4: Jiten Ramanandi to Abhishek Sharma, Slower ball, outside off, worked through cover for a single.

5.3: Jiten Ramanandi to Abhishek Sharma, Great delivery amidst the mayhem! Around off, on a tad fuller length, at a gentle pace. Abhishek Sharma swings the bat across the line and misses to lay his bat on the ball.

5.2: Jiten Ramanandi to Sanju Samson, Pitched short and Samson pulls it along the ground toward deep mid-wicket for a single.

5.1: Jiten Ramanandi to Sanju Samson, Full delivery from over the stumps, around the leg stump line. Sanju Samson mistimes the flick shot over mid-wicket. Since the fielder in the deep is stationed at deep square leg and has a lot of ground to cover, to his left, the batters cross for the second. 50 UP FOR INDIA!

Another change. Jiten Ramanandi is introduced into the attack.

4.6: Mohammad Nadeem to Abhishek Sharma, Back of a length, outside off. Abhishek Sharma again dances down the track and lofts it over covers for a couple of runs. A very expensive start for Nadeem as he goes for 19 in his opening over!

4.5: Mohammad Nadeem to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! SHOT! On a good length, curving back in. Abhishek Sharma steps down the track and whips it over square leg for a boundary.

4.4: Mohammad Nadeem to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Glorious shot! Fuller ball, slower at 102.4 kph, outside off. Abhishek Sharma waits for it to arrive, gets low, and carves it powerfully through covers for a boundary!

4.3: Mohammad Nadeem to Abhishek Sharma, Slower one, on middle, on a good length, stabbed back to the bowler.

4.3: Mohammad Nadeem to Abhishek Sharma, Edged, but given a wide! An inswinger, on a good length, around the leg stump line, swinging down. Abhishek Sharma gets a bit of a faint inside edge while trying to flick the ball away, and the ball shoots flat and low to the right of the keeper, who tries to take a diving catch but parries it behind to deep fine. They cross for two byes.

4.2: Mohammad Nadeem to Abhishek Sharma, Good commitment by the fielder! Short and on middle, swinging in a bit. Abhishek Sharma advances down the track and gets a top edge as he looks to smash it over the cover region. The ball, luckily for him, goes over backward point. Rolls towards the ropes but the fielder from the inner ring dives to flick the ball back in the playing area. Saves two for his side.

4.1: Mohammad Nadeem to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Welcome to the attack! Nadeem lands it short and just outside off, with some extra kick. Abhishek Sharma slices it over the cover and point fielders, one hand comes off the handle, but he manages to find the fence.

Change. Mohammad Nadeem comes into the attack. 

3.6: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, At 132.7 kph, full and wide on off. Sanju Samson times the cover drive well, but finds the man stationed inside the ring. 8 off this over. 24 from the last two overs for India!

3.5: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, Hits the deck hard, on the leg stump, angling in. Sanju Samson heaves off the inner half of the bat to the left of deep square leg and rushes back for the second run. The fielder mops it up and throws the ball towards the bowler's end. The backing up fielder at the bowling end collects it on the bounce and whips the bails off. However, the replay shows that Abhishek has made it home easily. But, he didn't drag the bat and just casually completed the run with a jog.

3.4: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, Another swing and a miss! Outside off, on a hard length, angling back in. Sanju Samson stays deep in the crease and tries to play the square cut, away from his body. The ball stays a bit low and passes below the inside edge.

3.3: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, SIX! Effortless strike! Shah lands it into the slot, full and on the leg stump, with just a tinge of inswing. Sanju Samson picks it up and deposits it behind deep mid-wicket for an 87-meter six.

3.2: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, Make that 8 balls without giving a run! Sanju is looking rhythmless at the moment! This one curves away off the deck, outside off. Sanju Samson has a wild waft at it and is beaten on the outside edge.

3.1: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, 7 balls and Shah is yet to concede a run! Swings into the batter, on a good length, onto the pads. Sanju Samson misses to lay bat on ball and is hit on the thigh pad.

2.6: Shakeel Ahmed to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Muscled away! Drops short and on middle. Abhishek Sharma clears the front foot and powers it over mid on for a boundary on a couple of bounces. 16 off this over and Shakeel Ahmed's figures read 2-0-21-0 so far. 

2.5: Shakeel Ahmed to Sanju Samson, Finally, Samson is off the mark! A low full toss, around off, this is firmly driven to long off for a single.

2.4: Shakeel Ahmed to Sanju Samson, Four dots for Sanju to begin with! On a length, at 104.9 kph, angling on off. Sanju Samson punches it to cover.

2.3: Shakeel Ahmed to Abhishek Sharma, A full toss, drifting outside off, Abhishek Sharma drills it to the right of mid on for a single. Shakeel will be relieved to have got away with that one.

2.2: Shakeel Ahmed to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! OUTTA HERE! Shakeel uses the wider angle, around the stumps. A juicy half volley, sliding around off. Abhishek Sharma clears the front leg and tonks it behind deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

2.1: Shakeel Ahmed to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Through the gap! Full and on the leg stump line. Abhishek Sharma gets on the front foot and whips that through the gap between square leg and short fine leg for a cracking boundary!

1.6: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, A WICKET-MAIDEN FROM SHAH FAISAL! Too full and outside off, snaking back in a touch. Sanju Samson tries to force that straight down the ground, but gets beaten on the inside edge.

1.5: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, A slip in place for Sanju! A good shout for LBW, but not given. Possibly going down leg. A huge inswinger on a good length, around the leg stump line. Sanju Samson misses to flick and the ball thuds on the front pad. 

1.4: Shah Faisal to Sanju Samson, BEATEN! Incoming delivery, full and outside off. Sanju Samson has a casual poke at it, without any footwork and is beaten on the inside edge.

Surprisingly, Sanju Samson has been promoted to bat at number three. He didn't get to face any balls in the last two matches down the order.

1.3: Shah Faisal to Shubman Gill, OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! BOWLED! Excellent stuff from Shah Faisal as he provides an early breakthrough for Oman! Great seam presentation, pitching full and on off, and then curving a long way back into the batter. Shubman Gill gets half forward and tries to drive it straight down the ground, but plays for the initial line and does not account for the ball swinging back in. Gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad to smash into the stumps behind. Shubman Gill looks stunned and this was a pearler of a delivery from Faisal. Gill departs for 5 (8) and India are 6/1.

1.2: Shah Faisal to Shubman Gill, Seeing Gill advancing down the track, Faisal shortens the length, on the leg stump line, swinging in. Shubman Gill adjusts well and nudges it to the leg side.

1.1: Shah Faisal to Shubman Gill, A gentle inswinger, at 121.5 kph, on a good length, around off. Shubman Gill chops it towards backward point.

Spin from the other end, too? No, a seamer, Shah Faisal, will share the new ball, who will start from over the wicket.

0.6: Shakeel Ahmed to Shubman Gill, An in-drifter, on a length, around off, Shubman Gill drives it along the carpet to long off for a single. 6 off the first over for India. Decent start for Shakeel.

0.5: Shakeel Ahmed to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Off the mark with a classic boundary! Too full and quicker on off, Shubman Gill prods forward, uses the full face of the bat, and drives it past the left of cover for a boundary.

0.4: Shakeel Ahmed to Shubman Gill, This is indeed a good start by Shakeel. Full and quick through the air, on middle. Shubman Gill leans forward and pushes it to mid on.

0.3: Shakeel Ahmed to Shubman Gill, Way too short and wide on off. Shubman Gill hangs back and cuts it straight to the point fielder.

0.2: Shakeel Ahmed to Shubman Gill, Fuller and middle and leg, flicked to mid-wicket.

0.1: Shakeel Ahmed to Abhishek Sharma, A review burnt by Oman on the very first ball. Shakeel bowls from around the stumps and uses the wider angle to drift the ball into the batter, on a very fullish length, around the leg stump line. Abhishek Sharma tries to smash it over the leg side, but does not connect and is rapped on the front pad. A huge shout for LBW first up, but the umpire stays unmoved. Jatinder Singh has sent it upstairs straightaway. UltraEdge shows no spike, but the Ball Tracking shows the ball to be pitching outside the leg stump line. They get a leg bye.

An appeal straightaway! The bowler, Shakeel Ahmed, has appealed for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head. However, he convinces his skipper to opt for a review. Nothing on the UltraEdge but Ball Tracking presents that it has pitched outside leg. NOT OUT!

Done with the pre-match duties! Now, all is in readiness for the action to kick off in Abu Dhabi. The Oman team emerges from the dugout, ready to take their positions on the field, but before that, they form a final huddle. With that, India's young and dynamic opening pair, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, stride out to open the innings. Roar is echoing through the stadium, and the anticipation is palpable, as a sea of blue and tricolour flags is waving in the stands. Oman are starting with spin, as Shakeel Ahmed has the new ball in his hands and he will start the proceedings. Abhishek is on strike and Shakeel will bowl from around the wicket. Here we go...

Time for the National Anthems! Standing shoulder to shoulder for this ceremony will be players of both teams, with the match officials creating a unified and respectful atmosphere before the match begins. Oman's national anthem, As-Salam as-Sultani, will be played first, followed by India's national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

PITCH REPORT - Waqar Younis and Ravi Shastri are pitchside with their analysis. Ravi informs that it is a similar pitch to the previous game, and says it will get slower as the game progresses. Observes that there is some lively grass and also points out that it is a bit dry underneath. He reckons won't spin much and shares that the bowlers will have to bowl slowly to get some grip. Waqar shares his thoughts and says Abu Dhabi produces one of the best T20I pitches in the UAE. Details that there is a good breeze blowing across, which could play a key role, both for pacers trying to swing the ball and also for the batters targeting the shorter boundaries. He ends by saying that it is a good opportunity for the Indian batters to score big. 

Oman (Playing XI) - Jatinder Singh (C), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla (WK), Shah Faisal, Mohammad Nadeem (In place of Wasim Ali), Aryan Bisht, Zikriya Islam (In place of Hassnain Shah), Shakeel Ahmed, Samay Shrivastava, and Jiten Ramanandi.

India (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana (In place of Varun Chakaravarthy), Arshdeep Singh (In place of Jasprit Bumrah), and Kuldeep Yadav.

The captain of Oman, Jatinder Singh, says that he would have batted first as well. Talking about the experience of playing in the Asia Cup, he mentions that it is a great opportunity for his team to learn and take things forward. On facing India, the current T20I champions, he admits that Oman is a young side with limited exposure, but feels this is the perfect chance for them to test themselves, share the field with India, and understand their mindset. Against such a strong lineup, he says that it is a big opportunity for them to share the dressing room with them and informs that they have made two changes to their playing XI.

India's captain, Suryakumar Yadav, says that they will bat first as they haven't batted first yet, and they want to know what their depth is, especially heading into the Super 4. Adds that they want to continue with the same habits, and he goes on to say that hopefully, they can entertain the crowd. Mentions that the pitch looks good and goes on to inform that there are a couple of changes in the team, one of them being Harshit Rana coming in.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in favour of India, and the skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, has elected to BAT first.