Oman Coach Kulkarni's Bold Asia Cup 2025 Message: ‘Compete, Don't Just Participate’

The associate teams have come a long way, especially in the last 4-5 years, as many have rubbed shoulders with some of the best teams in the world, participating in various World Cups

In the T20 World Cup alone, Namibia beat Sri Lanka, the Netherlands beat South Africa, and even Scotland bested the West Indies. Hence, in T20s, there is no minnow, and no wins can be termed an upset. 

That's the inspiration Oman will take into the Asia Cup 2025, where they will compete against heavyweights like India and Pakistan, apart from an ever-improving UAE. 

Oman’s newly appointed deputy head coach, Sulakshan Kulkarni, doesn’t want them to just participate but go head-to-head against the international behemoths. 

"It's a huge opportunity. When you play teams like Pakistan or India, and then when you go back to play the World Cup qualifiers [in October], it's a huge confidence boost they will get and I always tell the boys, don't just try to participate. Just compete. When you compete, you will get a better experience," Kulkarni told Cricket.com ahead of Asia Cup 2025.

"By playing against Pakistan and India, I'm sure we will do well and that experience will definitely help in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers at home.”

🚨 Squad Announcement! 🇴🇲

Here's Oman's Squad for our first-ever edition as a part of the Asia Cup 2025!! 🏏

We move in with a blend of experience and youth at the big stage with bigger dreams to achieve as a team! 💪🇴🇲

More to Follow..#OmanCricket #AsiaCup2025… pic.twitter.com/8XGqhNOVYQ

— Oman Cricket (@TheOmanCricket) August 25, 2025

Kulkarni, a renowned coach in the Indian domestic circuit, is no stranger to associate cricket. In fact, he had a very brief stint with Nepal a few years ago.

"That was a very short stint in Nepal when I was with the Nepal team in 2018. The last World Cup qualifiers. That has helped me to get into Oman, thinking of doing something for Oman or associate members developing cricket," he recalled.

Unlike India, Pakistan or some of the big teams, Oman does not have the luxury of churning out one quality player after another. It took them years to build a formidable unit that could compete and were looking well-settled. Until...

Many senior players, including skipper Aqib Ilyas, former captain Zeeshan Maqsood, fast bowler Bilal Khan and other senior members of the team, refused to take the field as their dues from the T20 World Cup 2024 weren't cleared. Once Oman Cricket cleared their dues, they banned those cricketers for showing dissent. 

That has paved the way for Jatinder Singh’s new generation of Oman players to showcase their skills, and they have not fared all that badly. "I'll tell you, I'm really, really happy to see the progress of Oman cricket in the last 8-10 months or so because around 10 months back, there had been some issues," the 58-year-old said.

"Around 10 to 11 players went off suddenly, and then post that, since we have a small pool, not like India or Pakistan or you know, the other teams where you have a big pool. So, despite that, we did so well in the last 8-10 months. We did well in the one-dayers against USA and Canada on a challenging away tour. So, that confidence we are carrying forward. And we are doing very well. Talent-wise, I'm quite happy. Whatever pool we have, we have good talent."

Kulkarni, who has coached teams like Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, among others, says Oman cricket’s vision lured him towards taking up the opportunity.

 "This is a good opportunity not only for me, for any coach who would like to do something. Because I've been doing domestic cricket in India for over 20 years now. So, it's a very good opportunity to do it at the international level. The infrastructure is very good. I saw the overall facilities here. I always look at the vision. In the next three years, five years, 10 years down the line," he said.

"In India, I've coached and developed teams like Mumbai, Tamil Nadu. And been with the developing teams also - Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh. So, in that context, I think Oman, to me, looks very interesting and has a very good future. That was the reason."

Kulkarni also gets a chance to work with the legendary Duleep Mendis, who was not just someone he admired as a player, but his cool and calm demeanour has even got the veteran Indian coach in awe. 

Kulkarni terms Mendis as a father figure of Oman cricket. “I have a great respect for that man," he said. 

"Not only because, as a coach for the last 13 years, but before that, because I was a great fan of him. I watched his first Test match against India in 1984 [1982], where he scored 100 in each innings and then a hundred [111], a big hundred against England at Lord's. So, I've been his big fan.

"Then, as a coach for Oman for the last 13 years, he has done a wonderful job. His contribution to Oman cricket is amazing. And he's like a father figure."

Further speaking on Mendis' qualities as a coach, Kulkarni says, "The best point I have observed in the last month is, he's very cool. He's a very patient guy. He takes his own time, which is something I would like to learn from him."

Oman's participation in the Asia Cup is a massive opportunity for Kulkarni and the entire Oman team to showcase their talents against some of the big teams, and that too when they are not at full strength. 

A good show here and a qualification to the 2026 T20 World Cup would give them the confidence that they are willing to move forward, further vindicating the performances of the new pool of players who have come in.

With the experienced duo of Mendis and Kulkarni handling the affairs behind the scenes, it will come as no surprise if this Oman team does their bit on the field.