KANDY – India punished Nepal and won their first match of the Asia Cup 2023 against Nepal in Pallekele, Sri Lanka on Monday.
Opening pair — Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill — posted 147 runs against a target of 145 in 23 overs (DLS). Earlier, Nepal posted a total of 230 runs on board.
The opening pair Kushal Bhurtel Mahammad Asif Sheikh opened the game on a strong note as they made 38 and 58, respectively, before they were sent to pavilion.
Their dismissal put the team under pressure as it was quick to lose three more wickets. Later, Gulshan Kumar, Dipendra Singh and Sompal Kami showed impressive game with bat as they kept the scoreboard ticking up and helped team set a reasonable total.
Earlier, India won the toss and opt to bowl first against Nepal.
Monday’s game, which is must must-win game for both sides, is likely to be washed out, as forecast suggests 80 percent chance of showers, leaving both teams in misery.
Debutant Nepal faced a blow in their first game against Pakistan, and they eyed a comeback in today’s game against India. It will be Nepal’s first-ever international game against India. After losing against Pakistan, Nepal placed at the bottom in the Asia Cup 2023 points table. Pakistan leading the group A with 3 points.
Fans are however expecting a repeat of Saturday’s blockbuster game when the game between arch-rivals Pakistan, and India was washed out.
As Team Indian entered the match without Jasprit Bumrah, skipper Rohit Sharma is eyeing a stronger comeback.
If today’s match is washed out due to rain, Men in Blue will follow Pakistan into the Super 4 stage, with the second spot in the group.
For India’s must-win game, Indian pacer Mohammad Shami replaced Jasprit Bumrah as the former left for his homeland for the birth of his first child.
India vs Nepal Match Venue
India vs Nepal Group A match will be played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
India vs Nepal Asia Cup 2023 Squads
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, K L Rahul (wk), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Nepal: Rohit Kumar Paudel (c), Bhim Sharki, Dipendra Singh Airee, Karan Kc, Sompal Kami, Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Kushal Malla, Pratis Gc, Md Arif Sheikh, Gulshan Kumar Jha, Sundeep Jora, Kishore Mahato, Shyam Dhakal, Mahamad Asif Sheikh (wk), Arjun Saud (wk), and Sandeep Lamichhane.
PAKvIND: Rain ends Pakistan and India s Asia Cup encounter in no result
