The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the Emerging Asia Cup 2025 as India A prepares to take on Oman at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on November 18, 2025. With the group phase heating up and semi-final spots on the line, both teams are eager to assert their dominance and secure a crucial win. The anticipation is palpable, especially after India A’s recent rollercoaster performances and Oman's spirited comeback in the tournament.
India A entered the tournament with high expectations and wasted no time making a statement, clinching a convincing victory in their opening fixture. The spotlight has shone brightest on their teenage prodigy, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose exploits with the bat have left fans and pundits alike in awe. Just 15 years old, Suryavanshi has already racked up 189 runs in two games at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 270, peppering the boundaries with 18 sixes in only 70 balls. His 144 off 42 balls against the UAE, featuring a blistering 32-ball century, stands as one of the fastest by an Indian in men’s T20s—a feat that has quickly become the talk of the tournament.
The India A camp, however, was brought back down to earth in their second outing against the Pakistan Shaheens. Despite a promising start, they struggled under relentless pressure from Pakistan’s Maaz Sadaqat, who delivered a brilliant all-round performance. India A’s batting lineup, usually so reliable, faltered and managed only 136 runs before being bowled out. Suryavanshi’s 45 off 27 balls was the highlight, but the rest of the order couldn’t quite keep pace. Captain Jitesh Sharma, who had earlier contributed an unbeaten 83 against the UAE, was unable to anchor the innings this time around. As the chase unfolded, Pakistan’s openers came out swinging, capitalizing on India’s misfields and dropped catches. Sadaqat’s 67 anchored the chase, and Pakistan cruised to an eight-wicket win, leaving the Men in Blue searching for answers.
Despite the setback, India A’s strengths are undeniable. Alongside Suryavanshi and Sharma, Naman Dhir has added stability in the middle order, while Harsh Dubey and Gurjapneet Singh have provided the cutting edge with the ball. Gurjapneet, a tall left-arm quick, has relished the conditions in Doha, snaring three wickets at an average of 15.33—striking once every 14 balls. Harsh Dubey, the versatile all-rounder from Vidarbha, has chipped in with both bat and ball, scoring at a brisk rate and maintaining an economy of just six runs per over with the ball.
Turning to Oman, the Gulf nation’s journey in the tournament has been anything but straightforward. They opened with a disappointing loss to the Pakistan Shaheens but bounced back in style with a nail-biting win over the United Arab Emirates. The victory was a testament to their resilience and growing confidence. Hammad Mirza, Oman’s captain, has provided steady leadership, while the all-round talents of Wasim Ali and Muzahir Raza have proven invaluable. Wasim Ali, named Player of the Match against the UAE, delivered a match-winning 30 with the bat and followed it up with an impressive 2/20 from his four overs. Muzahir Raza, meanwhile, has been a revelation—scoring 46 runs at a strike rate of 191.6 without being dismissed and taking three wickets at an average of 23.66. Zikria Islam has also emerged as a lower-order powerhouse, smashing 57 runs in two innings at a strike rate of 196.55, with more sixes than fours to his name.
Historically, India A holds the edge in head-to-head encounters, having beaten Oman in their only previous meeting. In that match, India A chased down a target of 141 with six wickets in hand and 28 balls to spare, thanks to a disciplined bowling display and a composed batting chase. But cricket, as ever, offers no guarantees—especially in T20s, where momentum can swing in an instant.
The venue, West End Park International Cricket Stadium, has seen its fair share of drama over the past few years. Average first innings scores have climbed steadily—143.96 in 2023, 157.15 in 2024, and 166.23 in 2025—reflecting increasingly batting-friendly conditions. Yet, bowlers, especially spinners, have found ways to make an impact. Spin bowlers average 24.44 per wicket with an economy of 7.04, slightly outperforming fast bowlers, who average 25.63 with an economy of 8.00. The pitch has shown signs of wear and tear as the tournament progresses, with a subtle advantage for teams batting second—51.9% win rate compared to 48.1% for those setting a target. Wickets fall fairly evenly across both innings, with the powerplay, middle, and death overs all offering opportunities for breakthroughs.
Both squads boast depth and balance. India A’s lineup is led by captain and wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, supported by the likes of Abishek Porel, Naman Dhir, Priyansh Arya, Ramandeep Singh, and the irrepressible Suryavanshi. Their bowling arsenal features Gurjapneet Singh, Suyash Sharma, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, and Yudhvir Singh. Oman, on the other hand, fields a squad captained by Hammad Mirza and includes Sufyan Yousaf (WK), Wasim Ali, Aryan Bisht, Saishiv Narayan, Zikria Islam, Hassnain Ali Shah, Shafiq Jan, Samay Shrivastava, Muzahir Raza, MD Yousuf, Jay Odedra, Pruthvi Macchi, Ubaidullah, and Shuaib Ismail Al Balushi.
Pre-match predictions have sparked plenty of debate. The consensus among experts is that Oman will win the toss, but India A is tipped to take the match, with Suryavanshi and Muzahir Raza expected to be the top run-scorers for their respective sides. Gurjapneet Singh and Wasim Ali are the bowlers to watch. Suryavanshi is also the favorite for Player of the Match honors, and India A is projected to post a score in excess of 190 if they bat first, while Oman is expected to aim for 140-plus.
With India A, Pakistan A, Oman, and UAE all battling for two semi-final spots in Group B, every match is a must-win. The group standings are tight, and net run rate could prove decisive. As the teams take the field in Doha, the pressure mounts—not just for a win, but for a statement of intent heading into the business end of the tournament.
As the sun sets over the West End Park International Cricket Stadium, all eyes will be on the young stars and seasoned campaigners alike. Can India A bounce back from their recent defeat and reassert their dominance? Or will Oman’s momentum carry them to another upset? One thing’s for sure: the Emerging Asia Cup 2025 continues to deliver the kind of excitement cricket fans crave. The action is set to unfold, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
