Doha, Qatar – November 18, 2025: In a pivotal encounter at the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, India A showcased remarkable composure and talent to overcome Oman by six wickets, securing their coveted spot in the tournament’s semi-finals. The victory, orchestrated by a stellar unbeaten half-century from Harsh Dubey, underlines India A’s credentials as serious contenders, setting the stage for an exciting knockout phase in Doha.

This comprehensive win, achieved with 13 balls to spare, not only solidified India A’s position as the second team from Group B to qualify, following Pakistan Shaheens, but also highlighted the depth of talent within India’s emerging cricketing landscape. The match, played at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium, was a testament to competitive T20 cricket, where individual brilliance and collective effort converged to produce a thrilling outcome.

Oman Sets a Challenging Target

Having won the toss, India A skipper Jitesh Sharma elected to field, a decision that initially seemed to backfire as Oman’s openers, Hammad Mirza and Karan Sonavale, launched an aggressive assault. Hammad Mirza, in particular, was in explosive form, hitting a massive six off Vijaykumar Vyshk and dealing fearlessly in boundaries against Gurjapneet Singh, leading Oman to a brisk start. The early momentum saw Oman surpass the 50-run mark within the powerplay, putting India A under pressure.

However, the Indian A bowlers, despite the initial flurry, began to pull things back. Pacer Vijaykumar Vyshk provided the crucial first breakthrough, dismissing the dangerous Hammad Mirza for a well-made 32. This wicket stemmed the flow of runs and allowed India A to regain some control. Spinner Suyash Sharma, a known talent, then tightened the screws, visibly troubling Karan Sonavale who struggled to find rhythm. Suyash eventually claimed Sonavale’s wicket for 12, signaling a shift in momentum.

India A’s Bowlers Apply the Brakes

The middle overs saw India A’s spin contingent come into its own, effectively stifling Oman’s scoring. Naman Dhir, typically known for his batting prowess (and a Mumbai Indians player), joined the wicket-taking party, snaring Narayan Saishiv for 16. His dismissal was followed swiftly by Harsh Dubey, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, claiming his first wicket of the day, outfoxing Aryan Bisht for 4. Dubey’s ‘ultimate spin’ confused Bisht, leading to a caught-behind dismissal by wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma. This demonstrated the depth of the squad, with multiple players contributing with both bat and ball.

Suyash Sharma continued his impressive spell, taking his second wicket by dismissing Zikria Islam for a duck, a smart move by Jitesh Sharma to keep a first slip paying dividends. Despite these regular breakthroughs, Wasim Ali stood firm for Oman, playing a commendable lone warrior’s knock. He brought up his half-century off 43 balls, showcasing resilience and skill to ensure Oman posted a respectable total of 135/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Suyash Sharma and Gurjapneet Singh were the pick of the bowlers for India A, bagging two wickets each, while Vijaykumar Vyshk, Harsh Dubey, and Naman Dhir each contributed with one.

India A’s Chase: A Tale of Resilience

Chasing 136 for a semi-final spot, India A’s innings began with a few early jitters. Openers Priyansh Arya and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who had previously impressed with a scintillating 144 runs off just 42 balls against UAE, both departed relatively cheaply for 10 and 12 runs respectively. Suryavanshi’s dismissal, attempting a second big hit off Jay Odedra after a six, highlighted the fine margins in T20 cricket, particularly for aggressive young talents.

This early double blow at 37/2 left India A needing a calm head and a solid partnership to navigate the tricky chase. Enter Naman Dhir and Harsh Dubey. Dhir, a familiar name from the Mumbai Indians setup, demonstrated his class, effortlessly dominating Oman bowlers with two massive sixes in one over from Shafiq Jan. He scored a valuable 30 runs, laying a crucial foundation before his dismissal, caught by Aryan Bisht off Samay Shrivastava.

Harsh Dubey’s Masterclass Secures Victory

With India A at 68/3, the onus fell squarely on Harsh Dubey and Nehal Wadhera to steer the ship. Dubey, showing exceptional maturity for a ‘rising star,’ anchored the innings with unwavering focus. He found an able partner in Wadhera, who broke a boundary drought with a huge six off Zikria Islam, injecting much-needed momentum. The duo rotated the strike intelligently and punished loose deliveries, scoring 16 runs off one Samay Shrivastava over, featuring two boundaries from Dubey.

Dubey’s knock was a masterclass in controlled aggression. He reached his half-century in 41 deliveries, a well-deserved milestone that showcased his temperament and ability to perform under pressure. His unbeaten 53 runs were instrumental in calming the nerves in the Indian dugout and systematically dismantling Oman’s hopes. Nehal Wadhera’s contribution of 23 runs further solidified the partnership, bringing India A within touching distance of victory before he departed with just two runs needed.

Fittingly, captain Jitesh Sharma, who had made a tactical decision to field first, stepped in to hit the winning boundary. This not only sealed India A’s six-wicket victory but also marked a personal milestone for Sharma, who completed 3,000 runs in T20s – a testament to his experience and impact in the shortest format of the game. The final score read 138/4 in 17.5 overs, a comfortable win in the end for India A.

Implications and The Road Ahead

India A’s victory against Oman is more than just a win; it’s a statement of intent. Qualifying for the semi-finals alongside arch-rivals Pakistan Shaheens (who had previously defeated India A by eight wickets in the group stage) sets up potential thrilling encounters in the knockout phase. The tournament, designed to unearth and hone the next generation of cricketing talent, is proving to be an excellent proving ground for these young players.

Harsh Dubey’s performance, particularly his unbeaten fifty under pressure, highlights his potential as a future Indian cricketer. His ability to perform both with the bat and the ball (having taken a wicket earlier) makes him a valuable asset. Similarly, the contributions from Naman Dhir, Nehal Wadhera, and the disciplined bowling efforts from Suyash Sharma and Gurjapneet Singh underscore the depth and varied skill sets within this India A squad.

The Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 has offered a platform for these young athletes to shine, to experience high-pressure situations, and to compete against emerging talents from across Asia. India A’s journey so far, marked by a dominant win against UAE, a challenging loss to Pakistan A, and now this decisive victory against Oman, has prepared them well for the challenges of the semi-finals. The team will undoubtedly draw confidence from this chase, where they overcame early setbacks to secure a commanding win.

Cricket enthusiasts can now look forward to Friday, November 21, 2025, when the semi-final matches will take place. India A, with their blend of aggression and composure, will be keen to continue their impressive run and vie for the prestigious Asia Cup Rising Stars title. The experience gained in Doha will be invaluable for these promising cricketers as they look to make their mark on the international stage.

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