India vs Oman: India Survives Kaleem & Mirza Fightback — Wins by 21 to Top Group A

India beat Oman by 21 runs in Abu Dhabi — Sanju Samson fifty, Aamir Kaleem 64, Arshdeep Singh historic 100th T20I wicket. Full match report, scorecard, stats & Asia Cup table.

Quick snapshot — India vs Oman

India completed a perfect group stage in the 2025 Asia Cup with a 21-run win over Oman in Abu Dhabi — a 188/8 batting effort (Sanju Samson 56) defended as Aamir Kaleem’s 64 and Hammar Mirza’s 51 nearly produced a famous chase, but Arshdeep Singh’s incisive bowling (and a historical milestone) helped seal India’s victory.

Why this India vs Oman match mattered

On paper this was a routine Group A finish for India — a heavy favourite against one of Asia’s improving associate sides. In practice, the match mattered for several reasons:

• India wanted to finish the group stage unbeaten, keep momentum and rest key players ahead of the Super 4 phase.
• Oman sought to prove they could press big teams deep into a T20 contest — and they did, with sustained batting from Aamir Kaleem and Hammar Mirza. Their fightback made the game relevant and exciting for neutrals.
• Personal milestones and rotation management were on display: Sanju Samson got valuable time in the middle for India, Arshdeep Singh reached a national landmark (100 T20I wickets), and captain Suryakumar Yadav rotated the batting order to rest or give match time to squad options before tougher Super 4 ties.

The game also confirmed the early Asia Cup narrative — India and Pakistan progressing from Group A to the Super 4, with India carrying three wins into the next phase. The points table and net run-rate implications matter as teams gear up for the Super 4s.

Match at a glance — final scores & highlight stats

• India 188/8 (20 overs) — Top scorer: Sanju Samson 56.
• Oman 167/4 (20 overs) — Top scorers: Aamir Kaleem 64, Hammar Mirza 51.
• Result: India beat Oman by 21 runs.

Notable individual facts

• Arshdeep Singh recorded a milestone — becoming the first Indian bowler to reach 100 T20I wickets (reported during this match). That landmark added a layer of historical significance to an otherwise routine Group A finish.
• Aamir Kaleem and Hammar Mirza nearly engineered a chase that would have shocked Asia Cup favourites, combining for a rapid, high-quality middle-order stand that tested India’s bowling composure.

Toss, teams and early context

India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bat in Abu Dhabi. The reasoning was standard for Asian conditions: put runs on the board and challenge Oman to chase under lights. India used the opportunity to rotate the squad and give fringe players match time while also protecting key resources ahead of Super 4. Several outlets noted Suryakumar’s tactical batting order choices later in the game (including an unusual decision around his own batting position), which sparked chatter on social channels after the match. (mint)

Oman’s XI leaned on experience and reliability: the top order tried to dictate with Nikesh Ramani (or Jatinder Singh where applicable) providing starts and Aamir Kaleem/Hammar Mirza ready to accelerate.

India innings — measured, then accelerating

India posted 188/8 thanks to a handful of timely stands rather than a single dominating knock. Key phases:

• Top-order platform: Openers got India off to a playable start, but wickets at regular intervals prevented a blockbuster total. India’s approach in this match was pragmatic: build partnerships, rotate strike and finish with a strong final five overs.
• Sanju Samson anchor: Samson’s 56 was the most crucial knock of the innings — composed, rotating the strike and taking advantage of the middle-overs bowling to lay a base for a 180+ total. He batted through the middle overs and accelerated when needed.
• Late-overs hitting & extras: India’s lower middle order and extras pushed the total into the high-180s — just enough to create scoreboard pressure on Oman. Efficient strike rotation and selective boundary hitting in the last four overs proved decisive.

For readers hunting exact ball-by-ball detail, ESPNcricinfo’s match report includes the full over-by-over commentary and scoring progression.

 

Oman’s reply — brave, clinical, but just short

Oman’s chase was the story of the night in many fans’ eyes — a brave, technically sound effort that nearly rewrote expectations:

• Explosive middle-order: After losing a wicket or two early, Oman’s Aamir Kaleem and Hammar Mirza put together a high-quality partnership that swung the momentum and made the chase very competitive. Kaleem’s 64 was a mix of clever placement and disciplined boundary-hitting; Mirza’s 51 stabilized the chase and kept the required run rate in check.
• Composure under pressure: Oman rode calm, fearless batting and smart rotation rather than reckless hitting. At one stage the chase looked very much alive — Oman were 131/1 inside 16 overs with every chance to chase down 189.
• India’s death bowling & fielding discipline: India tightened lines in the last few overs and applied the necessary pressure. Arshdeep’s cutters and toe-to-toe death sequences, plus accurate yorkers and slower balls, stemmed the flow at a critical period; Oman could not find enough boundary options late.

Ultimately Oman’s chase closed at 167/4 — gallant, but 21 runs shy.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

 

Key players: deep dive

Sanju Samson (India) — innings anchor

Samson’s 56 was textbook: he rotated strike, punished loose deliveries and anchored the innings when wickets fell at the other end. His knock gave India a platform to post a defendable target and allowed the middle order to swing freely in the final overs. Samson’s temperament under pressure remains a major asset for India in T20 tournaments.

Aamir Kaleem (Oman) — the game changer

Kaleem’s 64 was a reminder that associate cricket has match-winners who can turn a game on its head. He played with composure, timing the ball to the ropes and keeping a cool head while pacing the chase. Kaleem’s knock will be one of the standout associate innings of the early Asia Cup.

Hammar Mirza (Oman) — the supporting pillar

Mirza’s fifty complemented Kaleem beautifully — he absorbed pressure, punished misfields and created rhythm for Oman’s batting. The pair’s partnership put legitimate pressure on India even after the 150-plus mark.

Arshdeep Singh (India) — milestone & match influence

Beyond the match-winning overs, Arshdeep recorded a headline: he became the first Indian bowler to reach 100 men’s T20I wickets during this contest — a feather in the cap and a historic moment for India’s white-ball program. His death overs were tight, and his variations in the final overs restricted boundary options. That discipline mattered more than any single wicket figure.

Suryakumar Yadav (India, captain) — rotation & tactics

Suryakumar’s captaincy showed foresight: using the match as a controlled run-through, resting or rotating key players while still prioritizing a win. His decision to modify the batting order for match practice (and the later discussion about his own batting position) attracted debate but ultimately the strategy delivered a group-winning result.

After snubbing Pakistan, India share warm hugs with Oman in Asia Cup#INDvsOMA #AsiaCup #INDvsPAKhttps://t.co/4lg2uh6hyo

— India Today Sports (@ITGDsports) September 19, 2025

 

Turning points & tactical moments

1. Samson’s consolidation (middle overs): His 56 created the cushion India needed — without that anchor India’s total could have been 20–30 runs lower and the chase far easier for Oman.
2. Kaleem-Mirza partnership: The middle-order stand for Oman (Hammar Mirza + Aamir Kaleem) threatened to turn the contest into one of the tournament’s great upsets. It forced India to deploy their best bowlers at the death and change field configurations.
3. Arshdeep’s death overs: The veteran seamer’s discipline in the final overs — mixing pace and hitting yorker lengths — cut off the boundaries that would otherwise have saved Oman. That skillset is what separates top teams from challengers in T20 cricket.

Scorecard (concise)

India 188/8 (20 overs)
Samson 56, Abhishek/Padikkal contributions, last overs acceleration. (Full scorecard & ball-by-ball: ESPNcricinfo).

Oman 167/4 (20 overs)
A. Kaleem 64, H. Mirza 51 — chase fell short. (Full scorecard & ball-by-ball: ESPNcricinfo).

(For the complete, official scorecard with bowling figures and fall-of-wicket details, refer to ESPNcricinfo or the official Asia Cup match page.)

Asia Cup points table & what’s next

India’s win meant they topped Group A and progressed to the Super 4 with an unbeaten record in group play. The updated points table placed India at the top, followed by Pakistan — both qualifying from Group A — while Oman exited the group stage despite a brave showing against India. Reliable trackers (Cricbuzz, Wisden and ESPNcricinfo) show the updated table and net run-rate implications.

Super 4 schedule notes: India’s next scheduled Super 4 clash (per the published schedule) will be a highly anticipated meeting with Pakistan in Dubai, which now carries added intensity after India’s group run. Pakistan also qualified from Group A and will meet India in the Super 4 phase — a marquee game in the Asia Cup calendar.

Reaction, headlines & expert takes

• Local outlets praised India’s squad depth and management for balancing rotation with winning mindset; analysts noted Oman’s chase as evidence that associate teams are closing the gap on the big sides. (mint)
• Stat & milestone headlines focused on Arshdeep’s 100-wicket landmark — a record moment for Indian T20 internationals and an example of the young pacer’s consistent run at the top level.
• Fan chatter revolved around Suryakumar’s decision to bat himself lower or rest — which triggered debate on captaincy tactics vs. on-field needs — but the unbeaten run into Super 4 silenced most criticism.

What India learned (and what Oman proved)

India takeaways

• India’s bench and flexibility are tournament assets. Using the final group match to rotate without compromising on results supports a long tournament run.
• Death-bowling discipline — exemplified by Arshdeep — remains India’s competitive edge in close T20 contests.

Oman takeaways

• Oman’s batters (Kaleem, Mirza) can apply scoreboard pressure on full members; with more exposure and experience, associate teams like Oman will produce more close encounters.
• Tactical clarity at the death and a broad bowling attack will be Oman’s areas to sharpen for future global events.

Where to watch and follow India vs Oman and the Asia Cup

• TV & streaming: Asia Cup broadcasts vary by territory. In India, major broadcasters and streaming platforms (including Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar in previous editions) typically carry live coverage; internationally, check local cricket rights holders, ESPN+, Willow TV, or the ICC/Asia Cup digital platforms. For highlights and full match replays, ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz and Wisden post condensed matches and video clips.
• Live scores & ball-by-ball: ESPNcricinfo and the Indian Express live blogs provide real-time scorecards and commentary. For deeper stats and analytics, Wisden and Cricbuzz maintain updated points tables and player leaderboards.

Final thoughts — India’s unbeaten group finish and Oman’s statement

This match ultimately reinforced two clear themes from the early Asia Cup action: India’s squad depth and tournament management, and the upward trajectory of associate teams like Oman who can now generate tension and entertainment in high-profile matches. Sanju Samson’s composed fifty and Arshdeep Singh’s landmark achievement are positive takeaways for India; Aamir Kaleem and Hammar Mirza’s fight for Oman is a hopeful sign that the gulf in T20 quality is narrowing.

As the Super 4 approaches — particularly the India–Pakistan meeting — tournament stakes only rise. India will want to keep its momentum and rest key assets where possible; Oman will head home wiser for the experience and more confident for the next opportunity to challenge top nations.

 

FAQs fans search for

Q: What was the final India vs Oman score?
A: India 188/8 beat Oman 167/4 — India won by 21 runs. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Q: Who were the top scorers?
A: Sanju Samson (India) 56; Aamir Kaleem (Oman) 64; Hammar Mirza (Oman) 51. (The Indian Express)

Q: Did any Indian bowler reach a milestone?
A: Yes — Arshdeep Singh reached 100 T20I wickets, becoming the first Indian to do so in men’s T20 internationals (reported during this match). (The Times of India)

Q: How does this affect the Asia Cup points table?
A: India topped Group A and progressed to the Super 4 stage unbeaten; Pakistan also advanced from Group A. For the full updated table see Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo or Wisden. (Cricbuzz)