🏏T20 Asia Cup 2025: India vs Oman, 12th Match, Group A at Abu Dhabi🏏 - Page 3

India's first and likely only match of the tournament in Abu Dhabi

India have played both their games so far in Dubai, and will likely play out the tournament in Dubai as well unless they somehow get beaten by a margin that sees them finish second – a massive improbability.

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium presents different challenges: it has been higher-scoring than Dubai, and also more on offer for seamers. For a team that has been happily spin-heavy at this venue across formats this year, a change in combination might possibly be on the cards.

Similar story for Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel

While this pair of Indian all-rounders have done their bit as support for the frontline bowlers, providing crucial overs and keeping it clean while showing threat, they remain untested with the bat. Pandya looks likely to bat lower down at number six, having spent a couple of years plying his trade higher up the order, and it's even more extreme for Axar Patel. Used as a floater higher up the order for both India and Delhi Capitals in the IPL, his role at number 7 means he might need to get to terms with seeing fewer deliveries but matching his impact.

Ball-one hitting ability is at a premium in this tournament, but both these quality all-rounders will need to show themselves to be capable of it when the need arises.

India arrive with an eye on the next stage, even as Oman hope to catch their more illustrious counterparts off guard and on the hop. This could be intriguing, so tag along!

The Super Four line-up has been decided. And barring the surprise of Afghanistan not making it, it is largely along expected lines. Pakistan, like most things Pakistan, took the longer route to get there. Sri Lanka took the more flawless path, and India, currently boasting a 2-0 record, seem primed to mirror what their neighbours from the south accomplished yesterday.

Before that, there is the small matter of tonight, which may be a dead rubber, given no points carry over to the next stage, but is probably the biggest game of Oman's lives. The first time they face India in any format, and the first time they will rub shoulders with a side now largely considered the gold standard in T20Is.

Oman will know their challenge is stiff. India have not lost many T20Is since the conclusion of the T20 World Cup last year. But Oman have nothing to lose too. And while that may not be much, they could just let their hair down, release the handbrake, go full throttle, and see where that takes them. Perhaps, and they might utter this only in hushed tones, into territory beyond their dizziest dreams.

It's toss time. Jatinder and Suryakumar are out in the middle. Suryakumar has the coin and gives it a spin. Jatinder calls heads, but tails it is. India will bat first

Suryakumar Yadav: We are looking to bat first. We have not batted first in this competition and we want to know our depth. Having game time is important going into the Super 4s. We want to continue the good habits we are doing in the first two games and want to continue to do that. It is looking nice and our openers will assess it further. We have two changes - Harshit comes in, one more guy comes in, I have become like Rohit (laughs).

Jatinder Singh: I would have batted first. It is a great experience to take from here. Our team is young, lack exposure but gives them a good chance to come here and test themselves. It is a great opportunity to share the field with India and get a look at their mindset.Two changes for Oman too - Nadeem and another player comes in, and Jatinder, like Suryakumar, cannot remember.

Did both captains forget the names of a few of their players?!!

Pitch Report: Ravi Shastri says the pitch played well yesterday and should do the same today. It could get a little slower as more cricket gets played. A sprinkling of live grass but underneath, it feels dry. Waqar Younis chimes in saying this venue produces the best white-ball pitches in the region, and he reckons India, batting first, could get 200-plus. There is a breeze blowing across, and that could be a factor, both for the pacers trying to swing the ball and for the batters targeting those boundaries.

Bumrah is rested. Arshdeep gets a chance

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav