Super 4s prep takes priority for India

With a Super 4 spot already sealed, Suryakumar Yadav’s India will look to treat Friday’s Asia Cup clash against Oman in Abu Dhabi as valuable batting practice before their high-voltage rematch with Pakistan on Sunday.

India’s first two group games ended in lopsided, low-scoring chases, leaving the top and middle order with limited time in the middle. The Oman fixture, therefore, provides the perfect stage for batters to spend time at the crease. The think tank would prefer to bat first, ensuring maximum use of the 20 overs.

Abhishek Sharma has shown flashes of aggression with brisk starts, but partner Shubman Gill will want to build a longer innings. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav looked fluent against Pakistan, while the management will hope Tilak Varma also gets more game time. For the middle order Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel this is a timely opportunity to find rhythm before India potentially face four games in seven days if they make the final.

Bowling, however, remains India’s stronger suit. Oman’s batting has faltered badly, posting just 67 and 130 in their first two games. None of their batters has crossed 30 so far, with Jatinder Singh’s men struggling to cope with quality spin and pace. Against Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, another collapse cannot be ruled out.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir is unlikely to tinker much with the XI, though Jasprit Bumrah could be rested as a precaution. That would hand Arshdeep Singh or Harshit Rana a chance to impress. This match also offers Suryakumar flexibility to shuffle the batting order without much pressure.

Away from cricket, the game will also be India’s first at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium this tournament. The team has chosen not to train in Abu Dhabi, avoiding the exhausting two-hour bus ride each way. Instead, they will arrive on match day and return the same night, keeping Saturday free before facing Pakistan.

For Oman, whose batting depth has looked thin, it will be another stern test against one of the world’s most complete T20 outfits. For India, the goal is clear: maximize batting time, test bench strength if needed, and enter the Super 4s fully prepared.

Match starts: 8 pm IST