Oman captain Sulakshan Kulkarni will look to utilise the upcoming five match white ball series against Goa to test his players and sort out partnerships ahead of a busy international schedule.
Goa’s Ranji Trophy team are set to tour Oman from August 10 to 17 with two T20 matches and three 50-over games to be played.Kulkarni feels the tour is a “checklist” for Oman as they prepare to host the ACC Premier Cup in Malaysia and also contest the remaining fixtures in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.
Oman coach has asked the management to look at several players before finalising their plans for the tournaments. Goa, he said, provide a strong challenge because of their experience and performances in Indian white-ball cricket.
The timing is particularly significant for Oman, who are currently fourth in the eight-team Cricket World Cup League 2 standings. The side has collected 31 points from 28 matches and must remain in the top four to progress to the final qualifying stage for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Eight League 2 matches remain for Oman, including a home tri-series in October and another in the UAE in December. The series will also give Vinayak Shukla his first major assignment as Oman captain since taking over from Jatinder Singh.
Jatinder remains part of the national setup and is included in both squads. For Goa, the tour offers valuable international-style match practice before the 2026-27 Indian domestic season begins in October. It will be the team’s first overseas exposure tour in 14 years.
Former India all-rounder Dinesh Mongia will coach the side, having previously guided Goa during their successful 2024-25 campaign. The T20 matches are scheduled for August 10 and 11, while the 50-over fixtures will be played on August 13, 15 and 17 at the Oman Cricket Academy.
The five games are expected to give both teams an opportunity to test players, combinations and match strategies across formats before their respective competitive campaigns begin.
