Oman skipper Jatinder Singh recently outlined how Associate nations like Oman can start playing like Test-playing nations. His remarks came after a narrow 21-run defeat against India in Match 12 of the Asia Cup 2025. Oman recently ended their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with three losses in as many games.

Jatinder put forward the idea of Oman getting opportunities to train and play in India, making use of the several top-notch facilities for upping their overall game. He also suggested that Oman would definitely improve if it could play against local clubs and Ranji Trophy teams.  

"Well, I think if we can get India coming forward, you know, letting us make their home our home. If we can train there, go to the NCAs, train our skills, mental aspects, the fitness part, and play a lot of T20S with the club teams and Ranji teams, I think that will definitely help us, and that will fill the gap. We are an Associate nation. The reality is we do not get to play with the Test-playing nations," Jatinder was quoted as saying by India Today.

He also recommended that continental tournaments, such as the Asia Cup, should occur again and have increased participation for the benefit of Associate nations like Oman. He advocated that cricketers from Oman should be given exposure to franchise cricket.  

"I think these kinds of tournaments, if they happen time and again, I think a larger number of Associates should be included so that they can rub shoulders and get close, fill the gap for what we have between the Test playing nations and the Associate nations. Omani players are no less than anyone. We do not get that platform to play in franchise cricket. I think if they get the platform to play in such tournaments, the boys will really benefit from it, and they can bring a lot of experience back to Oma, and they can train the boys accordingly," he added.

The 36-year-old stated that he felt proud of his team's performance and the fight they put up against India. He remarked that the team is "ready to roar" during the T20 World Cup, which will be played in the near future. 

"Overall, I am so, so pleased with the performance of every individual, if you start with the bowling, fielding and batting respectively. I think what we lacked initially was the partnerships, which I think showed great character in the crunch game. I am so happy and proud of the unit. And now we have T20 World Cup qualifiers happening in Oman. So, the boys are ready to roar," he concluded.

Oman ended up scoring 167/4 at the end of their 20 overs in the second innings after restricting India to 188/8 in the first. Shah Faisal (2/23 in four overs), Aamir Kaleem (64 off 46) and Hammad Mirza (51 off 33) were the star performers for the Jatinder-led unit.