India A's Do-or-Die Battle in Doha
The Indian A cricket team finds itself in a must-win situation as they prepare to take on Oman in their final group stage match of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 tournament in Doha on November 18, 2025. This high-stakes encounter comes on the heels of a disappointing and unexpected defeat against the Pakistan Shaheens, which has thrown India A's semi-final prospects into serious jeopardy.
Aftermath of the Pakistan Setback
In their previous outing, the young Indian side, led by Jitesh Sharma, suffered a significant jolt. Despite a blistering start, the innings fell apart, leading to a total collapse. The team could only manage to post a paltry 136 runs in 19 overs, a target that Pakistan chased down with considerable ease, thanks largely to opener Maaz Sadaqat's dominant batting performance.
The sole bright spot in an otherwise forgettable match for India was the dazzling performance of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Demonstrating remarkable flair and finesse, Suryavanshi smashed 45 runs off just 22 deliveries, setting a powerful tone early in the game. His wicket near the halfway mark, however, triggered a dramatic batting collapse from a promising position of 91 for two.
Everything on the Line Against Oman
The scenario is now crystal clear for India A. Both India A and Oman are currently locked level at two points each in the group standings. A slip-up in this final group game will end India A's Doha campaign prematurely, a bitter outcome for a team that was considered one of the favourites to win the continental tournament.
All eyes will once again be on the in-form Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose consistent run-scoring has been a revelation. The entire team, under the leadership of Jitesh Sharma, must regroup and deliver a cohesive performance to secure their passage to the semi-finals and keep their championship hopes alive.
