The atmosphere at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium was electric, and after an intense Asia Cup clash between India and Oman, a truly heartwarming scene unfolded. The Oman cricket team gathered eagerly around India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, who delivered an inspiring post-match pep talk. The wisdom shared by the former World No. 1 T20I batter deeply resonated with the young Omani players, who then enthusiastically queued up for photos with him.
Oman’s captain, Jatinder Singh, later expressed his immense gratitude for Yadav’s spontaneous gesture. “I am incredibly thankful that he took the time to speak with the boys,” Singh told reporters. “He discussed various aspects of the game, including how to navigate the demands of T20s. Our players engaged in a Q&A session with him, seeking clarity and insight. He was very complimentary of our team’s performance.”
Despite ultimately losing to India by 21 runs, Oman showcased remarkable resilience and competed fiercely against the reigning world champions. “I’ve been proud of this unit from day one,” Jatinder affirmed. “This match provided an invaluable opportunity for them to gauge their capabilities against a top-tier opponent, and they left nothing on the field. The team displayed exceptional character, and the boys will undoubtedly take away significant positives from this experience.”
In an emotional appeal, the Oman captain requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to extend an invitation for his team to train at India’s renowned National Cricket Academy (NCA). “If we could be granted the chance to use India as our training base, it would be a game-changer,” Singh explained passionately. “Access to the NCA would allow us to significantly enhance our skills, mental strength, and fitness. Playing more T20 matches against Indian club and Ranji teams would be instrumental in bridging the performance gap with leading cricketing nations.”
The Oman team is now gearing up to compete in the T20 World Cup 2026 qualifier, which they will host starting October 1.