Top News

Delhi: Wicketkeeper-batsman Vinayak Shukla, born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has been appointed as the new captain of Oman’s cricket team. He has replaced Jatinder Singh. Vinayak has got this responsibility before big tournaments like ACC Men’s Premier Cup and the final stage of ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.

Vinayak Shukla becomes captain of Oman

31 year old Vinayak Shukla is a resident of Shyam Nagar, Kanpur. He made his T20 International debut against Qatar in December 2024. In his very first match, he helped Oman set a target of above 200 by playing a quick inning of 40 runs in just 18 balls.

The first half-century was scored only six days after the debut.

Just six days after his first match, Vinayak scored his first international half-century against Kuwait in the same tournament. In that match, Oman team lost 4 wickets for 67 runs in the 12th over, after which Vinayak took over the team by scoring unbeaten 52 runs in 29 balls.

Talking about Vinayak’s international career, so far he has scored 312 runs for Oman in 14 ODI matches with the help of 1 half-century. At the same time, Vinayak has scored 447 runs in 22 T20 matches. During this period, two half-centuries have come from his bat.

Shukla went to Oman in 2021

Vinayak told in an interview to Times of India that he had gone to Oman in the year 2021 and worked there in ‘National Metalcanes’ company. I represented the company team ‘Oman Stallions’ in domestic cricket. In the year 2023, I was selected in ‘Oman A’ team. After this, I got a chance to play for the main national team of Oman against Qatar in the Gulf Cup in 2024. In the year 2025, I joined Majis Group and am currently playing domestic cricket for ‘Majis Titans’.

Wanted to become a wicketkeeper like Dhoni – Vinayak

Expressing happiness on getting the captaincy of Oman team, Vinayak said, ‘I am very happy today. When you start playing cricket, you dream of representing a country. For me this is like a dream come true. This is a big moment for my family too. Since childhood, I wanted to become a wicketkeeper like Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He is my role model.