Sandwiched between two high-octane contests against Pakistan, India’s Asia Cup encounter against winless Oman will be little more than an extended workout session in Dubai on Friday.
With the Men in Blue scheduled to play Pakistan here on Sunday in the Super Fours, India will also be mindful of not overexerting its key players in soaring heat and stifling humidity.
India’s comprehensive wins over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan earlier in the group stage allowed limited game time to the middle-order, and the likes of Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel will be keen to bring their bats out of the freezer.
Pandya during a session at the International Cricket Council Academy (ICCA) in Dubai.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
Pandya during a session at the International Cricket Council Academy (ICCA) in Dubai.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
It will also be a fitting occasion to rest Jasprit Bumrah against an unfancied Oman batting line-up, which crumbled against Pakistan for 67 before dragging itself to 130 in its 42-run defeat to the UAE.
Harshit Rana, who struck a series of lusty blows with the bat during training on Tuesday evening, could be slotted in for Bumrah ahead of the Pakistan game, while left-armer Arshdeep Singh can also be called upon.
A shadow contest
The Omani bowling unit presents an interesting proposition for the Indian batters. Oman’s bowlers possess characteristics, albeit toned down in quality and skill, that closely mirror those of their Pakistani counterparts, providing the Indian batters with a perfect prelude.
ALSO READ: Amid controversy, Pakistan beats UAE by 41 runs to secure Super 4s spot in Asia Cup 2025
Shah Faisal’s left-arm seam, Aamir Kaleem’s left-arm spin, and Samay Shrivastava’s leg-breaks can be a dry run for Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz, and Abrar Ahmed, respectively.
Though Shubman Gill has significantly improved his footwork against left-arm pace, he wouldn’t mind an opportunity to sharpen his instincts and reflexes ahead of a high-stakes game.
The focus will be on acclimatising to the spinners, who have increasingly played a decisive role in the tournament.
Though Gill has significantly improved his footwork against left-arm pace, he wouldn’t mind an opportunity to sharpen his instincts ahead of a high-stakes game.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
Though Gill has significantly improved his footwork against left-arm pace, he wouldn’t mind an opportunity to sharpen his instincts ahead of a high-stakes game.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
Pakistan’s spinners have been the silver lining in its campaign so far, and Saim Ayub, who hasn’t scored a run in three matches but has taken six wickets—including three against India—is an unlikely hero.
ALSO READ: From Karachi to Muscat via Passage to India, Kaleem turns heads at 43 for Oman at Asia Cup 2025
The dashing and daring Tilak Varma, who bridges India’s bruising opening duo and an equally devastating middle-order, is getting into a rut against spinners of late — a facet of his game he will need to improve. Once a spin-basher, Shivam Dube’s prowess against the tweakers also diminished in the last iteration of the Indian Premier League.
Familiarity with novelty
Though India and Oman will lock horns for the first time in international cricket, some familiarity between the players will spill over from the ACC T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup last October, when Abhishek Sharma and Tilak, who was leading an ‘A’ side, rubbed shoulders in Muscat.
Abhishek, who was part of the India ‘A’ side that beat Oman, during a practice session at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Academy in Dubai.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
Abhishek, who was part of the India ‘A’ side that beat Oman, during a practice session at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Academy in Dubai.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
An India ‘A’ side had then been enough to defeat a full-strength Oman team by six wickets and 28 balls to spare, and on Friday, the gulf may only widen.
Published on Sep 18, 2025
The postAsia Cup 2025: India gears up for another Pakistan clash with a prelude against Oman appeared first on Sportstar