After the Jatinder Singh-led Oman team gave the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team a tough fight in the group match in the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday night, a match which the Indian team won by 21 runs, it was a morale booster for the Middle Eastern cricketing nation. Chasing a target of 189, Oman were 149 for 1 in 17.3 overs at one point, giving a scare to the much more experienced Indian team before the Indian bowlers ended Oman’s hopes. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav spent some time with the Oman side after the match and praised the team for their efforts.
“After going out of the ground, you should feel like you should have a good sleep tonight. We played our best cricket and we gave our best. Whether you win or lose, it will be decided by your attitude and culture. You guys showed your best. The result is in front of you. What more can I say?,” Yadav told the Oman cricket team.
Chasing a target of 189 runs, Oman started well with openers Jatinder Singh and Aamir Kaleem putting up 44 runs in the powerplay. It was the first time that Oman did not lose any wicket in the powerplay against a full member nation of the ICC. The openers added 56 runs, and it was also the first time that Oman’s openers made a half-century stand against a full member of the ICC. The 56-run partnership was also the second-highest partnership by an associate team against India. With 43-year-old Aamir Kaleem hitting a half-century during Oman’s innings, he became the oldest batsman to score a half-century against India in any format. Kaleem, at the age of 43 years and 303 days, broke the earlier record of England’s Wally Hammond, who had scored 69 runs against India in the Old Trafford Test in 1946 at the age of 43 years and 31 days. Kaleem and Hammad Mirza also added 93 runs for the second wicket, which was also Oman’s highest partnership against a full-member nation.
‘Some things are bigger than cricket’
Yadav praised Oman’s effort and also shared that the team’s 50-run celebrations stood out for him. “After the powerplay, any team will try to control the game. In that situation, the game that you have played, there are many things for any team to learn, including us. According to me, the energy and vibe of your team, it is very important to maintain it for each other. Like you were sitting together. Sitting together, no matter what is happening, if you are 50 for 5 or 60 for no loss, that energy is spread. See, each batsman who comes in will keep contributing. I always say that the time you spend with each other outside the ground and the effort you give reflects on the ground. As soon as someone scored 50, I saw everyone was standing. No one was waiting. If somebody was inside, he came running to celebrate. According to me, this is one thing. Some things I spoke about in the last press conference too. There are some things that are bigger than cricket. That always makes a team sport bigger. And you guys keep continuing this,” he said.
When a member of the Oman coaching staff told Yadav that the team is getting ready for the World Cup Qualifiers, Yadav shared that the team is already ready for the qualifiers. “Actually sir, I want to correct you. This team is ready for the World Cup qualifiers. The way you guys have played today. Remember that taste. When you guys wake up tomorrow, remember what brand of cricket we played. Remember this and keep moving forward. I am telling you, you are ready for the World Cup qualifiers,” said Yadav.
