How Did Suryakumar Defend Harshit and Arshdeep After Oman’s Challenge?

Abu Dhabi, Sep 20 (NationPress) India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav stepped up to support his bowlers after Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh faced challenges during India's 21-run victory over Oman in their concluding Asia Cup Group A match in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Despite both pacers conceding runs towards the end of the innings, they managed to claim a wicket each, as Oman posed a significant threat in their pursuit of 189 runs.

"It's quite challenging when you suddenly enter the game after sitting out. The humidity here is intense," Suryakumar remarked post-match, emphasizing that expecting peak performance from the duo after two matches on the bench was unreasonable.

The captain had to utilize a total of eight bowlers as Oman’s batters put India to the test.

While acknowledging the effort required for the win, Suryakumar praised Oman’s determination. "Overall impressive. I believe Oman played excellently. With their coach, Sulu sir (Sulakshan Kulkarni), I anticipated their tenacity. It was truly enjoyable to watch them bat," he expressed.

Suryakumar also humorously mentioned his unusual batting position, having moved himself down to No. 10, even lower than Kuldeep Yadav, to allow others some game time before the Super Fours. “I’ll aim to bat higher than No. 11 in the next game,” he joked, also calling Hardik Pandya’s run-out “unfortunate.”

The evening’s standout player was Sanju Samson, who finally got his turn at bat after missing the first two matches. Coming in at No. 3, he scored a solid 56 off 45 balls, forming a vital 66-run partnership with Abhishek Sharma to bolster India’s innings.

"It was hot and humid out there. I’ve been working on my fitness in the past few weeks. We recently got a new trainer and completed the Bronco test. I’m glad to have spent some time in the middle. Oman bowled exceptionally well. They deserve credit for their bowling performance in the powerplay as well, swinging the ball effectively," Samson noted, adding, "I always back my strengths and remain positive. Any contribution with the bat for your country is a positive experience."

Oman’s captain Jatinder Singh expressed pride in how his team matched up against the tournament favorites despite falling short. "I am immensely proud of our unit. They executed their plans effectively and remained present in the moment. I am proud of their character in crucial situations," he reflected.

For Jatinder, facing India was an invaluable experience in preparation for future challenges. "The tournament's hype was in our minds. We may lack experience and exposure. This game was a blessing in disguise. We have a T20 World Cup qualifier coming up in Oman, and the boys are ready," he stated.

With this victory, India gained momentum heading into the Super Four stage, while Oman earned commendation for their resilience and character against one of the world’s leading teams.