New Delhi: Though India won their last league clash of the Asia Cup on Friday by 21 runs but a spirited Oman team gave the Indian bowlers a run for their money in Abu Dhabi. After piling up a big total of 188/8 in the first innings, the Men in Blue were tested to the core as the bowling unit together could only snap four of Oman’s wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, that too at the later stages.
The associate nation ended up losing all their three league games in the continental tournament but they won a million hearts with their sensational all-round performance that even took the T20 World Champions by surprise. Though India put up a big total on board batting first but Oman bowlers managed to pick eight of their wickets also restricting the free flow of runs to under 200, which at a stage looked easily achievable.
Indian batters score big
As expected, India got an opportunity to test many of their batters which didn’t get much time on the crease in the first two league clashes. While Abhishek Sharma as usual gave the side a fiery start but it was Sanju Samson’s blistering fifty which stole the limelight in the stadium. Samson, who didn’t get much to bat in the first two matches, became ready for the Super 4 clash against Pakistan on Sunday.
Vice-captain Shubman Gill failed to contributed in the innings and would have wanted to stay at the crease a bit longer but with quality under his belt, that shouldn’t be a cause for concern in the forthcoming matches. All-rounder Hardik Pandya met the same fate as he was unfortunately run out but the team got some contributions from Axar Patel and Tilak Varma, which they were looking for. Interestingly, skipper Suryakumar Yadav did not walk out to bat, keeping himself at number 11.
More to follow..