Oman captain Jatinder Singh admitted that a small gesture from Suryakumar Yadav turned into a big moment for his team at the Asia Cup 2025. After India’s 21-run win over Oman in their final group-stage clash, the Indian skipper made his way to Oman’s dressing room to acknowledge their spirited effort, despite the Associate side finishing the tournament without a win.
For Oman, the moment carried immense value. As the players were winding down after the game, Deputy Head Coach Sulakshan Kulkarni—who has seen Suryakumar’s rise from his under-16 days in Mumbai—invited him over. A former domestic stalwart with stints as player and coach across several Indian teams, Kulkarni didn’t need to convince Surya.
With a smile, the India captain walked in and instantly lifted the mood in the camp. Jatinder Singh revealed how meaningful the interaction was for his squad.
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“Surya spoke about the game and praised us, which means a lot. Our boys had questions about playing in different phases of T20 cricket. It was wonderful to chat with him,” he told PTI.
𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘺𝘢 𝘋𝘢𝘥𝘢, 𝘦𝘬 𝘩𝘪 𝘥𝘪𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘬𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘢𝘳… 💙
Encouraging words from India’s captain to Oman’s heroes ✨
Watch the #DPWorldAsiaCup2025, Sept 9-28, 7 PM onwards, LIVE on the Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork #INDvOMAN pic.twitter.com/Mng5zOIrOH
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 19, 2025
The scene on the lush outfield was informal yet deeply encouraging. Suryakumar applauded Oman’s fearless approach, particularly their refusal to be overawed by India’s big names. He highlighted the efforts of half-centurions Aamir Kaleem and Hammad Mirza, whose attacking stroke play stood out against top-tier opposition. According to Surya, such fearless batting would serve as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers back home in Oman.
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For the Oman players, the session was less about technical tips and more about validation—a cricketing superstar pausing to recognise their effort. The evening ended with laughter, selfies, and a memorable group photo. For Oman, it felt less like the end of a winless campaign and more like a victory of spirit, sealed by respect from one of the world’s finest T20 batters
