Who is Jatinder Singh - the Ludhiana-born captain of Oman at Asia Cup 2025

Jatinder Singh - the Ludhiana-born captain of Oman at Asia Cup 2025 (AP Photo)

Oman made their Asia Cup debut in the ongoing edition and on Friday the team will play against the Men In Blue, which is also their final match of the tournament. Oman has previously participated in three T20 World Cups, in 2016, 2021, and 2024.

Jatinder Singh will be seen leading the Oman unit. Singh was born on March 5, 1989, in Ludhiana, Punjab. His cricketing career didn't begin in India but rather shortly after arriving in Oman. His father reportedly joined the Royal Oman Police after relocating to Oman in 1975. In 2003, Jatinder and his mother also relocated to the country.

He began his professional cricket journey with Oman at the U-19 level in 2007. He made his T20I debut in 2015 and four years later earned his maiden ODI cap.

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“We didn’t even have turf grounds at the start. We played on cement wickets, then on AstroTurf from 2008, and only in 2011 did we get a proper turf ground,” Jatinder told PTI recently. “There were moments when I questioned everything why put in so much without reward? But the passion and hunger kept us going," he added.

Jatinder has participated in 61 ODIs, in which he has amassed 1704 runs at an average of 29.37, featuring four tons. He has amassed 1399 runs with eight half-centuries at an average of 24.54 in T20Is.

The 36-year-old was selected as Oman's captain prior to the 2024 ACC Emerging Cup. In the event, Jatinder led Oman against an Indian 'A' team captained by Tilak Varma.

Oman have so far endured consecutive losses in as many matches at Asia Cup 2025. They lost their first match against Pakistan by 93 runs and endured a 42-run defeat against the UAE in their second group stage encounter. Although beating India will almost be next to impossible, Oman would like to end their campaign with good memories.