India moved into the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four with another win. Despite a spirited display from Oman, the Men in Blue showed their depth and power to stay unbeaten.
India Bat First, Post a Strong Total
For the first time this tournament, India batted first. They posted 188 for 8 on a tricky Abu Dhabi pitch. Every batter had time in the middle except captain Suryakumar Yadav, who did not bat.
Abhishek Sharma exploded in the powerplay with 38 off 15 balls. His strike rate crossed 200 as he tore into Oman’s bowlers. Sanju Samson anchored the innings with a steady 56 off 45 balls, finding rhythm after a slow start. Tilak Varma (29 off 18) and Axar Patel (26 off 13) added crucial runs before Harshit Rana’s six off the last ball pushed India close to 190.
Abhishek Sharma Dominates Powerplay
Oman struck early when left-arm seamer Shah Faisal bowled Shubman Gill for five. But Abhishek kept attacking. He cracked boundaries off Shakeel Ahmed and punished Oman’s slower balls with fearless footwork. Even a dropped chance behind the stumps couldn’t slow him down.
Samson’s Measured Half-Century
Back after two games without batting, Sanju Samson began slowly. A six and a four off Samay Shrivatsava kickstarted his innings. He later lifted Zikria Islam for a straight six but lost momentum before reaching his fifty in 41 balls. He fell trying to accelerate in the 18th over.
Oman’s Spirited Chase
Chasing 189, Oman showed fight. Aamir Kaleem and Jatinder Singh opened with a 56-run stand. But Kuldeep Yadav’s variations slowed them down and increased the asking rate.
Kaleem, almost 44 years old, played a brave knock of 64. Hammad Mirza also scored a battling half-century. But without big hits in the death overs, Oman fell short at 167 for 4.
India’s Bowling Variety Pays Off
India rested Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy, but still controlled the game. Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma joined six other bowlers in a rare rotation strategy. Arshdeep Singh, playing his first match of the tournament, sealed the win with his 100th T20I wicket. He became the first Indian bowler to reach the landmark.
Key Takeaways
- India stay unbeaten in Asia Cup 2025
- Abhishek Sharma’s explosive batting gives India flying starts
- Sanju Samson finds form with a half-century
- Kuldeep Yadav’s spin slows Oman’s charge
- Arshdeep Singh’s 100th wicket marks a milestone
Conclusion
India’s depth and adaptability continue to shine. With star players rested and young guns firing, the team looks set for the Super Four. Oman, though winless, leave the tournament with respect after their brave performances — a sign of their growing stature in cricket.
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