India cricket team will take on Oman in their final group stage fixture of the Asia Cup 2025 on September 19. Suryakumar Yadav and co. have already qualified for the Super 4 stage, having won both games that have played so far (UAE and Pakistan). Given that they will play their first Super 4 game just two days after the Oman contest, the Men in Blue can afford to make changes to their playing XI.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has already played two back-to-back games in the ongoing Asia Cup. India can afford to give him some rest in the game against Oman as they have plenty of back-up fast-bowling options. Similarly, SKY can also give Jitesh Sharma an opportunity in place of Sanju Samson.
Predicted India playing XI vs Oman
| Position | Player | Role |
| 1. | Abhishek Sharma | Opener |
| 2. | Shubman Gill (VC) | Opener |
| 3. | Suryakumar Yadav (C) | Batter |
| 4. | Tilak Varma | Batter |
| 5. | Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
| 6. | Jitesh Sharma (WK) | Keeper-Batter |
| 7. | Hardik Pandya | All-rounder |
| 8. | Axar Patel | All-rounder |
| 9. | Kuldeep Yadav | Spinner |
| 10. | Varun Chakravarthy | Spinner |
| 11. | Arshdeep Singh | Pacer |
Samson out, Jitesh in
Sanju Samson hasn’t played a single game so far despite being a part of the playing XI in both games so far. The keeper-batter has been slotted to bat in the middle-order but has not gotten an opportunity so far to bat. Sanju lost his role as an opener to Shubman Gill who returned to T20Is after over a year. Meanwhile, designated finisher Jitesh Sharma has warmed the bench in both games played so far.
Suryakumar can afford to give Jitesh an opportunity in the game against Oman. In this way, Samson – who has been doing keeping duties in the last two games – could get some well-deserved rest before the Super 4 tie.
No need for Bumrah
India have plenty of pace options in order to replace Bumrah in the playing XI. After featuring only in three Tests in England as part of workload management, the speedster has already played two games in the Asia Cup. While he was a must-need in the game against Pakistan, his selection in the playing XI for the game against UAE was baffling.
Regardless, India have their highest wicket-taker in T20Is – Arshdeep Singh – waiting to break into the playing XI. The team can rest Bumrah in the game against Oman and instead give the southpaw the chance he very well deserves. A milestone – the first Indian bowler to take 100 T20I wickets – also awaits Arshdeep.
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