India vs Nepal, Asia Cup 2023: India defeat courageous Nepal to affix Pakistan in Super Fours

India defeated Nepal in a rain-truncated match in Pallekele on Monday to guide a berth within the Super 4s of the 2023 Asia Cup and line-up one other blockbuster conflict in opposition to Pakistan. The two arch-rivals will face off on September 10.

Nepal didn’t make it simple for India. The eventual margin of victory wouldn’t inform the true story behind Nepal’s grit of their first ever worldwide cricket match in opposition to one of many sport’s most celebrated groups. Their batsmen confirmed lots of braveness to submit 230 and although a few the Nepal bowlers troubled India’s openers in brief patches, the distinction in ability units was far too extensive.

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Rohit Sharma hit his forty ninth ODI half-century and overtook Virat Kohli’s tally of 1046 runs to change into the main run-scorer for India in Asia Cups. Rohit is now additionally second within the listing for many run-scorers in Asia Cup historical past. Rohit’s opening companion Shubman Gill additionally spent useful time within the center and hit his seventh fifty in one-day internationals. Rohit was unbeaten on 74 whereas Gill hit the profitable runs, taking his tally to 67 as India accomplished the chase within the twenty first over.

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Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja had starred with the ball to choose 3 for 40 and be a part of Irfan Pathan because the main wicket-taker for India in Asia Cup (ODIs). Mohammed Siraj, who began poorly with the ball, additionally completed with a three-wicket haul.

There have been two lengthy rain delays within the sport and the second compelled a discount in overs for the Indian innings. India have been handed a revised goal of 145 off 23 overs. Rohit Sharma was troubled by Karan KC within the first over when India began their chase however Shubman Gill introduced his intentions with three boundaries within the second over off Sompal Kami.

ROHIT FINDS FORM!

After the rain break, India had no alternative however to be proactive and after a watchful restart, Rohit Sharma shifted gears. He scooped a supply from Karan KC to the fence after which hit Sandeep Lamichhane for a boundary earlier than a mistimed stroke was additionally rewarded with a six. The fielder at deep sq. leg ought to have taken the catch as a result of actually, Lamichhane had deceived Rohit into enjoying a false shot however the fielder was additional contained in the ropes than he would have preferred.

Shubman Gill, who had struggled to duplicate his type of the final yr within the final two months, helped himself to a six off Lamichhane in his second over and shortly India have been on the right track, having raced away to 61 for no loss off 9 overs.

Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi and Dipendra Singh Airee toiled away heroically in opposition to India’s openers however Nepal’s most well-known cricketer, Sandeep Lamichhane, was method off the mark and was repeatedly punished by Rohit Sharma for some poor bowling.

It wasn’t a simple win for India. Their pacers struggled, the fielding was erratic and the physique language of the Indian gamers for a lot of the Nepal innings was poor. However, on the finish of the day, Nepal’s lack of big-match expertise confirmed and the bowlers allowed Rohit and Gill to attain at will because the 100 got here up within the 14th over. It was now a matter of time earlier than India cruised residence to victory.

Nepal’s batsmen gave a wonderful account of themselves in opposition to India after Rohit Sharma received the toss and determined to bowl. Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel obtained Nepal off to a robust begin after India’s fielders dropped three catches within the first 5 overs. Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan grassed easy possibilities, permitting Nepal to mount a critical combat in a match many felt finish with a one-sided victory for India.

Kushal Bhurtel was spectacular in opposition to worldwide bowling assault. He confirmed little nerves in opposition to Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj and additional emboldened with India’s shoddy fielding efforts, Bhurtel smashed three fours and two sixes to present Nepal a couple of of their most memorable moments in worldwide cricket.

Shardul Thakur, the serial partnership breaker, was pressed into service and he responded with the wicket of Kushal Bhurtel in his first over however by then, Nepal had reached a commanding 65 within the tenth over. However, Aasif continued to point out exemplary approach as he marched on in direction of a historic landmark in Nepal’s first ever worldwide match in opposition to their mighty neighbours.

India fought again with the 2 spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav pulling issues again. While Jadeja was rewarded with wickets, Kuldeep was maybe just a little unfortunate to complete and not using a single scalp in his 10 overs.

The pitch was two-paced and Ravindra Jadeja was in a position to make use of all his guiles to interrupt the again of an inexperienced Nepal batting line-up. Bhim Sharki inside-edged to a supply flighted exterior off-stump whereas the skipper Rohit Paudel edged a size ball and was fantastically caught by his Indian counterpart Rohit Sharma at slip. Jadeja struck for the third time to take away Kushal Malla and by then, you’d have anticipated Nepal to roll over. But Aasif Sheikh had different concepts.

The footwork in opposition to the spinners and the fast working between the wickets would have you ever surprise what precisely the 22-year-old Aasif may do within the years to return. He grew to become the primary Nepal batsman to attain a half-century in opposition to India and it regarded like he would go on to get a couple of extra earlier than falling to Mohammed Siraj, who was rusty in his first worldwide match for the reason that World Test Championship closing in June.

SOMPAL’S VALIANT FIGHT

There was extra combat left in Nepal. Gulsan Jha (23) performed supporting function with Aasif earlier than Dipendra Singh Airee smashed 29 off 25 balls to frustrate India’s bowlers who have been torpid and lacked the killer intuition. There was a protracted rain break with Nepal on the point of 200 however Hardik Pandya gave India an vital breakthrough after resumption when he trapped Airee LBW. And then got here a particular innings from Nepal’s No.8.

Sompal Kami was so good that it regarded like Nepal may breach the 250-run mark in opposition to India, two-time ODI world champions. Rohit Sharma was palpably livid with India’s fielding efforts however he ought to have been extra upset with the lengths his bowlers bowled to Kami who was at residence as he tried to take his crew in direction of a robust complete. He fell to Mohammed Shami two wanting a half-century however he had finished his job which was to entertain Nepal followers who far outnumbered India’s and to place his facet ready which gave their bowlers a glimmer of hope.

Sompal Kami hit 48 off 56 and it was an enormous assertion, as huge because the one Aasif Sheikh made earlier within the day. Nepal will not be but a world cricket energy however they will not be pushovers regardless of a horror begin in opposition to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, India have a number of inquiries to reply. Their top-order failed in opposition to Pakistan and the pacers lacked sufficient sting to hassle Nepal. And India’s fielding efforts have been poor regardless of the tough floor circumstances.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have been dismissed cheaply by the Pakistan pacers earlier than Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya added 138 to present India’s a good 266. However, relentless rain in Pallekele meant the high-octane match was deserted and not using a single ball bowled within the Pakistani innings.

Published On:

Sep 4, 2023