NEW DELHI: Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav provided a frank assessment after his team secured a 21-run victory over a resilient Oman in their concluding Group A match of the Asia Cup, acknowledging the difficult playing conditions.
“It’s quite challenging when you’ve been on the sidelines and suddenly step back onto the field. The humidity here is intense,” Suryakumar commented, referring to the spells from Harshit Rana (1/25 in 3 overs) and Arshdeep Singh (1/37 in 4 overs), who conceded several runs upon their return to the playing eleven. Despite having to rotate eight bowlers, the captain highly commended Oman’s efforts. “They were impressive overall. I felt Oman played exceptionally well. Knowing their coach, Sulu sir (Sulakshan Kulkarni), I expected that inherent ‘khadoosness’ (stubbornness) from them. It was truly enjoyable to watch them bat.”
Yadav labeled Hardik Pandya’s run-out as “unfortunate” and disclosed his decision to bat lower down the order, even below Kuldeep Yadav at No. 9, to allow other players valuable time at the crease. He lightheartedly added, “I’ll definitely aim to bat higher than No. 11 in our next match.”
Sanju Samson, who was awarded Player of the Match for his blistering 56 runs off 45 balls, expressed his satisfaction with his first significant performance in the tournament. “The conditions were humid and hot out there. I’ve been diligently working on my fitness over the past few weeks. We recently welcomed a new trainer and completed the Bronco test. It feels great to have spent some quality time batting in the middle. Oman’s bowlers performed commendably, especially in the powerplay, where they generated good swing early on. I always rely on my strengths and strive to maintain a positive mindset. Every batting contribution for your country is a positive step forward.”
Oman’s captain, Jatinder Singh, shared similar sentiments, radiating pride in his team’s determined performance. “I am incredibly proud of this squad. The way they approached the game, executed their strategies, and remained fully focused in the moment was truly inspiring. Their character shone brightly in a high-pressure situation. While the tournament’s buzz was certainly on our minds, we acknowledge our slight lack of experience and exposure. However, this match was a valuable learning experience, a blessing in disguise. With a World Cup qualifier scheduled to be held in Oman, our boys are now more motivated and prepared than ever.”