New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) Oman’s strategy against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav remains a mystery as they prepare to face the T20 world champions in the Asia Cup on September 19. Oman’s deputy head coach, Sulakshan Kulkarni, couldn’t help but laugh when asked about the plan for the formidable Indian batsman.
"If I tell my players the plan now, I can vouch that by the time September 19 arrives, they will forget it for sure," Kulkarni jokingly told PTI. He emphasized Oman’s determination to compete against the giants India and Pakistan as the continental tournament commences on September 9.
When asked if Oman could challenge India, Kulkarni, who has extensive experience in Indian domestic cricket, shared an anecdote from his days leading Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) in the Times Shield corporate tournament. Despite being ranked eighth, his team frequently defeated prominent teams like Indian Oil and Air India, which fielded star players such as Dilip Vengsarkar and Sanjay Manjrekar.
"Even as one of the weakest teams, we won matches with sheer optimism and a positive approach. That’s the mindset I want our players to adopt against India and Pakistan," said Kulkarni. Oman is grouped with India, Pakistan, and the UAE in one of the two Asia Cup groups.
The Oman squad is thrilled but slightly anxious at the prospect of playing against top-tier players like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, and Abhishek Sharma. "Who wouldn’t be excited to face a formidable Indian team?" asked Kulkarni, noting the rare opportunity for Associate nations like Oman to play against cricketing powerhouses.
"Nervousness is natural, but I advise my players to leave that behind once they step onto the field. In T20Is, one over can change any game so you never know," added Kulkarni optimistically. Oman recently showcased its skills by defeating Karnataka and Kerala, two strong Indian domestic teams, in preparation for World League 2 tri-nation games with the USA and Canada.
Reflecting on his journey, Kulkarni praised Oman head coach Duleep Mendis, the celebrated former Sri Lankan skipper. "Mr. Mendis is a father figure for Oman cricket. His dedication over the past 13-14 years is a major reason Oman ranks among the best Associate teams today," said Kulkarni.
Before joining Oman, Kulkarni had coached Nepal when it achieved ODI status in 2019. He commended Oman Cricket's investment in facilities, mentioning the two full-sized grounds and the newly constructed indoor training facility. “Our players are not only cricketers but also manage day jobs. Despite not being full-time professionals, we are steadily progressing," concluded Kulkarni.
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