Abu Dhabi: Heartwarming scenes unfolded at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium after the thrilling India versus Oman match. The Oman cricket team gathered around India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who offered them an inspiring pep talk. After the former World No. 1 T20I batter shared his insights, everyone applauded enthusiastically and then lined up for photos.
“I am incredibly grateful that he took the time to chat with the boys,” Oman captain Jatinder Singh told reporters. “He spoke about the nuances of the game, adapting to different situations, and the approach needed for T20 cricket.”
“The team eagerly engaged in a Q&A session with him, seeking clarity and advice. He was very complimentary of our squad’s efforts,” Singh added.
Despite ultimately falling short by 21 runs against India, Oman’s performance was remarkable. Although the target seemed formidable, the team showed incredible resilience, competing fiercely against the reigning world champions in this format.
“I’ve been proud of this unit since day one, and today was no exception,” Jatinder stated.
“This match provided an ideal benchmark for our team to assess their capabilities, and they held nothing back. Their display of character against the world’s top-ranked team was immense, and the players will certainly draw many positives from this experience,” he further explained.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav with Oman players. (Pic credit: X)
The Oman captain also delivered an emotional appeal to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), urging them to grant his team access to the prestigious National Cricket Academy (NCA). This, he believes, is crucial for his squad to enhance their skills and elevate their competitiveness on the international stage.
“If India steps forward and allows us to make their home our training ground at the NCA,” Singh elaborated, “we can rigorously work on our skills, mental fortitude, and physical fitness. Playing numerous T20 matches against club and Ranji teams would undoubtedly be transformative, helping us significantly bridge the current competitive gap.”
Oman is now set to host the T20 World Cup 2026 qualifier at home, commencing October 1.