India secures safe win over Oman: Why did skipper SKY didn't bat despite India losing 8 wickets?

India continued its winning streak in the ongoing Asia Cup, where it defeated Oman in its last group stage match in Abu Dhabi on Friday. But it didn't turn out as fans would have expected from the team. They couldn't witness skipper Suryakumar Yadav's power hitting, despite India losing eight wickets in the innings. He was slotted to bat at the 11th position for the day. What led to the strange decision? 

The Indian Cricket Team was at its dominant best, winning the first two matches of the tournament against the UAE and their arch-rivals, Pakistan. These convincing wins, one after another, ensured India made it to the Super Four. And the third one against Oman was inconsequential to the tournament. Thus, India chose to give most of its batters, who haven't batted so far in the tournament, a chance with the bat. 

That's how Sanju Samson came in to bat at no.3, followed by Hardik Pandya at no.4. These are the two key positions where Suryakumar Yadav is generally seen batting. And when he wasn't seen around to bat, it was expected that he might be padded up at the fall of the next wicket. To everyone's surprise, eight wickets fell, and Suryakumar never arrived. India posted a score of 188-8 in 20 overs, without their Captain batting. 

It all seems from the outside that the strange decision was taken simply so that everyone is given proper game time with a chance to face the ball, also due to the lack of importance of the match. 

Ind vs Pak again...

It will be India vs Pakistan again on Sunday, as the arch-rivals will face each other once again in their first match of the Super Four Stage in the Asia Cup 2025. In their last, India blew up Pakistan by seven wickets. And now, as the tournament comes to an end, the depth and flexibility of the squad are all that matter. Perhaps that's what India approached with last night against Oman. 

Apart from Suryakumar Yadav not coming over to bat, there were two other vital changes made. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy were rested. They were replaced by Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, possibly to test their pace depth and a flexible team that's ready to face the conditions, or in case there's a sudden injury...ahead of the big Sunday clash!