In a move that has sparked debate among fans and pundits, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav chose not to bat against Oman in their final Group A match of the Asia Cup 2025. Despite India losing eight wickets and having ample time for him to come to the crease, the skipper remained in the pavilion, a decision that has been both lauded as a selfless, strategic masterstroke and criticized as a bizarre and unnecessary risk.
Here’s why Suryakumar Yadav did not come bat against Oman
Suryakumar’s decision was rooted in the team’s overarching strategy for the tournament. India had already chased in their previous two matches against UAE and Pakistan, and with the top order performing well, many of the middle and lower-order batters had not yet had a significant opportunity to spend time in the middle. The Oman match, therefore, became a practice session of sorts, a chance to test the squad’s depth under match conditions.
The Indian skipper demoted himself all the way to No. 11, sending out batters like Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, and even bowlers like Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav ahead of him. This allowed players who had been benched or had limited chances to get valuable match practice. Samson, in particular, benefited from the opportunity, anchoring the innings with a crucial 56 runs, a knock that will boost his confidence ahead of the more challenging Super Four stage. The move showcased Suryakumar’s “team-first” ethos, prioritizing the needs of his teammates over his own stats or form.
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Gavaskar duo divided over Suryakumar’s move
Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar and his son, Rohan Gavaskar, found themselves on opposite sides of the debate surrounding Suryakumar’s decision not to bat against Oman. While Sunil staunchly defended the Indian skipper, calling him an “innovative thinker” and praising his selfless approach, Rohan had a different view. Sunil argued that Suryakumar’s decision was a strategic one, aimed at giving valuable batting practice to the lower-order players who hadn’t had a chance in previous matches. He believed it was a sign of a captain who looks at the bigger picture and is willing to break from convention for the team’s benefit. In contrast, Rohan questioned the logic, suggesting that if Suryakumar wasn’t going to bat, he could have rested entirely, and the team could have given an opportunity to other players like Rinku Singh to gain match experience.
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