Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has endorsed India skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to not bat in the Asia Cup 2025 Group A fixture against Oman, even after the defending champions lost eight wickets.

The move divided opinion among the fans, experts and former cricketers. Oman put up a fierce fight before falling short by 21 runs in the chase of 189 against the Men in Blue at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday (September 19).

During a discussion on Sony Sports, Gavaskar defended the decision, hailing Suryakumar as an ' innovative thinker'.

“If he had batted for even one over, he could have hit a few fours and sixes and that would have been good for him. But the way he batted against Pakistan, maybe does not need batting practice. He may have thought that Kuldeep Yadav's batting could come in handy if India lose quick wickets in one of the matches. Perhaps that's why he may have sent Kuldeep in to bat,” Gavaskar said.

“He is very unorthodox thinker. We saw in Sri Lanka that he himself bowled and also gave Rinku Singh the ball. He turned the game, which seemed to have slipped away, on its head and won India the match. He is an innovative thinker. Maybe that's why he did not bat and sent in Kuldeep and Arshdeep Singh.”

While the 76-year-old praised Surya’s tactic, his son and former India cricketer Rohan Gavaskar questioned the logic.

According to Rohan, Suryakumar was better off resting and left-handed batter Rinku Singh should have played the game instead.

“What doesn’t register with me is, if Suryakumar Yadav isn’t going to bat clearly because he’s sent Arshdeep, Harshit, and Kuldeep all ahead of him, then he might as well take a rest. Give Rinku a go. You’re not going to bat; you’re not going to contribute with the ball. If that’s the whole thought process, then let Rinku have a game,” Rohan told Cricbuzz.

Team India registered comprehensive victories against UAE, Pakistan and Oman to finish on top of Group A. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side will open its Super 4 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (September 21) in Dubai.