Gill, Bumrah Rested; Arshdeep In, Samson Promoted? India's Probable XI Vs Oman

Rajgeeta Yadav

Shubman Gill might be rested against Oman [Source: AFP]Shubman Gill might be rested against Oman [Source: AFP]

India have already sealed their spot in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2024, and that gives them breathing space ahead of their last group match against Oman on Friday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Since the result of this game will not affect India’s qualification, the team is expected to test a few combinations and give some players rest.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, are in high spirits. They began their campaign with a dominant 9-wicket win against UAE and followed it up with a solid 7-wicket victory over Pakistan. With two convincing wins under their belt, the side is now in a position to experiment without worrying too much about the result.

One of the biggest talking points is around Jasprit Bumrah. The pace spearhead returned after a month-long rest but has not yet shown his best form in the two games he played. Therefore, India might want to give him another outing before the knockout stages so that he finds rhythm and confidence. 

Who Might Come In Place Of Jasprit Bumrah If India Rest Him 

On the other hand, the team management may also decide to protect him and avoid unnecessary workload. If Bumrah is rested, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is the most likely replacement.

This makes sense because Arshdeep has been a proven performer in T20Is. He swings the new ball, bowls smartly in the death overs, and already has 99 wickets in the format. He was also among the top wicket-takers in the last IPL season, where he picked up 21 wickets for Punjab Kings. 

Criterion
Arshdeep Singh
Innings63
Wickets99
Average21.3
Strike Rate13.2
Economy8.29

(Arshdeep Singh has yet to play in Asia Cup despite impressive T20I numbers)

In comparison, Harshit Rana has played just one T20I, though he impressed with 3 wickets against England. While Rana is exciting, Arshdeep’s experience gives him the edge.

Sanju Samon Likely To Open Along With Abhishek Sharma

Moving to the batting department, another potential change could come at the top of the order. Shubman Gill, India’s vice-captain, might be rested to manage his workload, as he has been in the mix of things since India's tour of England. 

If that happens, SKY might promote Sanju Samson to open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma. Samson has been waiting patiently on the sidelines and this could be the perfect opportunity for him.

Although his recent outings were mixed, Samson has shown in the past that he can be explosive at the top. In 42 T20Is, he has scored 861 runs with three centuries, striking at an impressive 152. He also had strong performances recently, including big knocks against Bangladesh and South Africa. 

Criterion
Samson - T20Is
Samson - IPL
Innings1731
Runs522783
Average32.6326.1
Strike Rate178.77137.37

(Sanju Samson's Opening Stats In IPL and T20Is)

Giving him time in the middle before the knockout stages could prove valuable because batters often need rhythm and game time to be at their best.

Meanwhile, the middle order could also see some adjustments. Rinku Singh, who has been in good form recently, might get a chance to showcase his finishing skills. His ability to hit big shots under pressure makes him a strong option for India in crunch moments.

Considering all these factors, India’s probable playing XI against Oman might look like this:

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh , Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy