Pak vs Oma: Who is Vinayak Shukla, the 31-year-old who kept wicket against Pakistan in their Asia Cup opener? | Cricket News – The Times of India

Vinayak Shukla in motion for Oman throughout the 2025 Asia Cup (Images through Screengrabs & AP)

Vinayak Shukla’s rise has been swift since breaking into Oman’s nationwide aspect late final 12 months. The wicketkeeper-batter, now 31, has already carved a fame as a center-order striker who can shift the momentum in T20 cricket. Shukla introduced himself on debut in December 2024, blasting 40 off simply 18 balls against Qatar to propel Oman previous 200 in a commanding victory. Less than every week later, he underlined his potential along with his first worldwide half-century. Walking in at 67 for 4 against Kuwait, Shukla steadied the innings earlier than accelerating to an unbeaten 52 from 29 deliveries. His attacking sport has rapidly made him Oman’s most well-liked choice with each bat and gloves in the shortest format. In eight T20Is, Shukla has scored 190 runs at a mean of 31.66 and a strike charge of 146.15, with one fifty to his identify. His boundary depend of 17 fours and 7 sixes displays his capacity to clear the area, whereas his glovework has additionally been dependable with one catch and one stumping recorded thus far. In ODIs, he has 9 catches and three stumpings. Shukla’s consistency earned him a spot in the ODI aspect earlier this 12 months, and he was included in Oman’s squad for their maiden Asia Cup marketing campaign in Dubai. He was named in the XI for their opening match against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday, the place Oman restricted their opponents to 160 for 7.

Born on June 18, 1994, the proper-hander could have arrived late on the worldwide stage, however his early returns counsel he may very well be an important determine for Oman’s batting unit shifting ahead.