Monday 06 / July / 2026
MUSCAT: Oman Cricket (OC) on Monday named wicketkeeper-batter Vinayak Shukla as the new captain of the national team, succeeding long-serving skipper Jatinder Singh ahead of a crucial run of international assignments, including the ACC Men's Premier Cup and the decisive final leg of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign.
A proud Shukla said leading the national side was the biggest honour of his career. "It is a proud moment to be named captain of Oman. I am grateful to Oman Cricket, my team-mates, coaches, and everyone who has supported me.
"Captaining the team is a great responsibility, and I am ready to give my best. We have a talented group of players, and together we will strive to make our country proud. My dream is to see the Oman flag flying high on the world stage," he said.
The leadership transition comes at a crucial stage for Oman, who are fourth in the eight-team League 2 standings with 31 points from 28 matches. USA lead the table with 43 points from 32 games, followed by Scotland (38 from 32) and the Netherlands (32 from 28).
Nepal and Canada are joint fifth on 24 points from 28 matches, while Namibia have 22 from 28 and the UAE 14 from 24. Each team will play 36 matches, with the top four advancing to the final stage of qualification for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
The 29-year-old Shukla, who made his international debut for Oman in December 2024, has already scored 312 runs in 14 ODIs and 447 runs in 22 T20Is.
He succeeds one of Oman's finest cricketers, Jatinder, the country's leading run-scorer across both white-ball formats with 3,626 international runs. Since taking over as captain in October 2024, Jatinder guided Oman to 11 wins in 19 ODIs and seven victories in 23 T20Is, leading the side to historic qualification for the 2025 Asia Cup and the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Head coach Sulakshan Kulkarni paid glowing tribute to Jatinder but said the time was right to look ahead. "Jatinder has done yeoman service and a fabulous job for Oman cricket, but we have to look ahead.
"Vinayak is the right choice. As a wicketkeeper-batter, he sees the game from behind the stumps, reads situations brilliantly, and has a sharp cricketing brain. This is the right way forward for Oman cricket."
Oman Cricket secretary Madhu Jesrani described the appointment as a "changing of the guard." "We are thankful to Jatinder for his immense contribution. The selectors’ felt Shukla was the best choice, and we have full confidence in his leadership," Jesrani said.
OC Chief Development Officer Duleep Mendis said Jatinder would continue to play an important role within the squad despite relinquishing the captaincy.
"It was time for a change in leadership. Jatinder remains a great asset to Oman cricket, and we want him to mentor our young batters. Shukla is a level-headed cricketer and, as a wicketkeeper, is often in the best position to make decisions on the field. We wish him every success as captain," Mendis said.
Shukla's first major assignment as captain will be the ACC Men's Premier Cup in August before Oman enter the decisive phase of their League 2 campaign. The team will host Canada and Nepal in a tri-series in October before travelling to the UAE for their final League 2 tri-series against the Netherlands and the hosts.
Those eight matches will complete Oman's 36-match League 2 campaign and determine whether they secure a top-four finish and a place in the final stage of qualification for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
League 2 Standings
1. USA — 43 pts (32 matches)
2. Scotland — 38 (32)
3. Netherlands — 32 (28)
4. Oman — 31 (28)
5. Nepal — 24 (28)
6. Canada — 24 (28)
7. Namibia — 22 (28)
8. UAE — 14 (24)
