‘Aimed To Show That We Belong’: Jatinder Singh’s Oman Earn Respect & Spread Positive Energy At Asia Cup | Exclusive | Cricket News

The Asia Cup 2025 may have ended, but not the controversies. The uproar began with India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan, leading to unwanted chaos caused by the latter throughout the tournament. It turned out to be a competition where the focus was more on off-field commotion than on the action itself, often putting the ‘spirit of the game’ under the scanner.

Speaking of the spirit of the gentleman’s game, one team that won a million hearts was Oman. An associate member that failed to register a single win in the Asia Cup, Oman still made countless memories under the leadership of Jatinder Singh.

Associate members often step into multi-nation tournaments with little to lose but plenty to gain. Oman had a similar story in their maiden appearance of the Asia Cup. In an exclusive conversation with News18 CricketNext, captain Jatinder Singh said his team’s only aim was to showcase what they had to offer.

“It was the first time Oman qualified for the Asia Cup, and we aimed to show the world that we belong at this level. Against Pakistan, we didn’t bat well, but overall, the tournament was a big learning curve for us,” Jatinder said.

The limelight was naturally on the heavyweights – India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. These teams have left a lasting impact on world cricket, and it was no surprise that during the pre-tournament captains’ meet, most of the questions were directed at stars like Suryakumar Yadav, Rashid Khan, and Salman Ali Agha.

Meanwhile, in one corner, sat two skippers – Oman’s Jatinder Singh and Hong Kong China’s Yasim Murtaza – reduced to the role of mere spectators.

“But we never felt ignored – it was more about awareness,” Jatinder said.

“I never thought about it that way. Those teams are full members with long histories, and their players are well-known. Our team is relatively new, people don’t follow us as much, so naturally the media didn’t have many questions,” he added.

Finally came the day when the underdogs unleashed their finest performance to give India a mighty scare. In their final group-stage match on September 19 in Abu Dhabi, Oman faced defending champions India. Already eliminated from the tournament, Jatinder and his men were determined to make a statement. A lengthy team meeting on the eve of the game set the tone, as they left no stone unturned in testing India.

“We just discussed pros and cons and spent nearly two and a half hours finalising the best combination. That effort showed on the field. The boys were well-prepared and executed the plans,” the Oman captain said.

Oman made a brisk start in the chase of 188. Jatinder and his opening partner Aamir Kaleem stitched a 56-run partnership, followed by a 93-run stand between Aamir and Hammad Mirza that put India under real pressure.

“The plan was simple – take the game deep,” Jatinder said.

“Aamir and I kept reminding each other not to rush, just build steadily. In T20, momentum is everything. Once you deny wickets in the first few overs, the pressure shifts to the bowling side. Aamir was brilliant; he adapted perfectly and carried the innings,” he added.

Just when Oman were sighting a famous win, Hardik Pandya happened. The ace allrounder pulled off a one-handed stunner to dismiss Hammad Mirza to end Oman’s hopes.

“That 93-run partnership was special. Hardik Pandya’s catch turned the game – only he could’ve pulled that off,” he added.

Oman may have lost the game by a narrow margin, but what followed left them with memories to cherish for a lifetime. A cheerful conversation with Indian captain Suryakumar on the field and a visit to the Indian dressing room – heart-warming gestures in amid tensions and controversies.

“It was a huge boost for the boys. Personally, I found his words very inspiring, and I’m sure the team felt the same,” Jatinder said.

“Surya himself came over after the game and spoke about handling the toughest phase in T20 cricket – overs 7 to 15. He praised our fight against India and said we didn’t need extra preparation for the World Cup qualifiers – we were already ready,” he added.

The Oman cricket team appeared to spread a sense of positivity all around, especially amid the surrounding chaos. Jatinder was all smiles despite the loss. His energy prompted commentator Sanjay Manjrekar to hug the Oman captain at the presentation ceremony.

“Every time I look at you, I first feel like giving you a hug. You are a very, very likeable cricketer,” Manjrekar said.

Reacting to the hug, Jatinder said, “That was completely instinctive, not pre-planned at all.”

“Such remarks coming from Sanjay Manjrekar mean a lot. He has played for India and is a great commentator. I believe he is a very tough guy when it comes to commentary and analysis.”

“It made me feel like we showed good character as a team. Yes, we were winless, but sometimes you have to trust the process more than the results,” he added.

Jatinder was back to the grind after the Asia Cup exit. Oman played a series against the Kerala cricket team before they go into the qualifiers for the T20 World Cup 2026. The games against Pakistan, the UAE and India have helped him discover himself as captain, and the learning continues.

“As captain, I focused on staying calm, trusting myself, and most importantly, valuing team contribution. Even if I don’t perform, I must celebrate my teammate’s success as my own. That’s the spirit of a team game. Personally, I wanted to test how composed I could remain in tough situations. I think I did okay, but there’s always room to learn more,” he said.

“I’m 100% satisfied. The boys showed tremendous character, especially against India. They proved that we belong here. Whether batting, bowling, or fielding, the effort was outstanding. The results weren’t in our favour, but as a captain, I couldn’t be prouder,” Jatinder concluded.