Team India are gearing up for their final Group A clash in the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to take place against Oman on September 19 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Having already sealed their place in the Super 4 stage, the match for India holds less competitive pressure and more of an opportunity to fine-tune combinations before bigger challenges ahead.

For Oman, however, this is a historic moment. The encounter will mark their first-ever meeting with India in any format, making the contest special for both players and fans. With Abu Dhabi expected to host a packed house, the stage is set for an intriguing battle despite the contrasting stakes for the two teams.

No Jasprit Bumrah in the clash against Oman?

All eyes were on India’s training session ahead of the Oman game, where Jasprit Bumrah was notably absent. Reports suggest that the management is inclined towards resting their premier fast bowler, keeping in mind the high-voltage clash against Pakistan lined up just a day later. Bumrah’s workload management has always been a key concern, and with India already assured of progression, the Oman fixture presents the perfect opportunity to rotate players.

Only nine Indian players turned up for practice on the eve of the match, further fueling speculation about changes in the playing XI. The decision reflects India’s strategy of maintaining their pace spearhead fresh for crunch fixtures while testing the bench strength in a relatively low-stakes game.

Arshdeep Singh to play first game in Asia Cup 2025?

With Bumrah likely to sit out, the spotlight shifts to who will take his place in the lineup. The two frontrunners are Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.

Arshdeep, currently on 99 T20I wickets, presents an exciting option as his left-arm pace adds much-needed variety to the attack. A single appearance against Oman could see him reaching the milestone of 100 wickets, a remarkable achievement early in his career.

On the other hand, Harshit received special attention from head coach Gautam Gambhir during an extended net session, suggesting the youngster is firmly in the team’s long-term plans. However, considering the balance of the bowling unit, Arshdeep’s left-arm angle and experience make him the more likely choice for the Oman fixture.

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India’s expected lineup remains strong

Apart from the likely bowling change, the rest of India’s lineup is expected to remain consistent. The young opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill will look to provide a solid start, while Suryakumar Yadav will anchor the middle order alongside Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson.

The all-round strength of Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel gives India depth in both batting and bowling. Kuldeep Yadav’s spin alongside Varun Chakaravarthy provides mystery options, while Arshdeep is tipped to complete the bowling attack.

Team India’s probable playing XI for the clash against Oman

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy

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