IND vs NEP: In a rain-interrupted thriller of a cricket match, India emerged victorious with a dominant 10-wicket win over Nepal. The contest was marked by standout performances and key moments that shaped the outcome.
Nepal’s first innings saw a promising start with a solid opening partnership between Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh, with Aasif Sheikh anchoring the innings with his resilient 50 not out. Dipendra Singh Airee and Sompal Kami added valuable runs, but India’s Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja made crucial breakthroughs, with Mohammed Siraj sealing a 3-wicket haul in the late overs. Nepal posted a total of 230 runs.
India’s second innings showcased a brilliant opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, with both batsmen contributing significantly. Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 74 and Shubman Gill’s consistent 63 not out guided India to a comfortable victory. Nepal’s bowlers, especially Karan KC, started impressively but struggled to break through India’s solid partnership. While Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi tried to maintain control, the match saw its share of wide balls, possibly due to the rain-affected conditions.
Match Preview
Match: IND vs NEP, 5th ODI Asia Cup 2023
Venue: Pallekele Stadium, Kandy
Overview
In the 2023 Asia Cup, India takes on Nepal in a pivotal Group A clash. Both teams are vying for a spot in the Super Four and must secure a win in this match.
India
- India seeks a batting resurgence after struggling against Pakistan.
- Mohammad Shami replaces the absent Jasprit Bumrah in the lineup.
- Indian bowlers, untested in the first game, aim to make an impact.
Playing XI (India): Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami.
For more details, please visit espncricinfo.Nepal:
- Nepal’s debut Asia Cup match resulted in a loss to Pakistan.
- Captain Rohit Paudel needs to lead from the front for Nepal.
- Nepal aims to bounce back and challenge India’s strong squad.
Playing XI (Nepal): Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (WK), Bhim Sharki (In for Aarif Sheikh), Rohit Paudel (C), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi.
Toss and Conditions:
India chooses to bowl first due to overcast conditions and potential rain interruptions. The pitch may assist spinners.
Key Storylines:
- India’s Batting Rebound: India aims to rectify batting issues from the previous game, with a focus on key players and emerging talents.
- Nepal’s Determination: Despite inexperience, Nepal is determined to make a mark, led by Captain Rohit Paudel.
- Bowling Battle: India’s bowling, led by Shami and spinners, takes on Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane in an intriguing contest.
Weather and Match Outlook
The weather could play a role, with hopes for improvement during the day. A rain-induced washout would favor India due to their earlier draw.
IND vs NEP: 4th ODI Asia Cup 2023 Highlights
India’s commanding batting display in the second innings, led by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, was the defining factor in their comprehensive win over Nepal. Despite Nepal’s promising start in the first innings, India’s bowlers, notably Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj, proved instrumental in restricting their total. The match was a thrilling showcase of cricket, marred by rain disruptions but ultimately culminating in India’s convincing triumph.
Nepal’s Batting Full Scorecard & Highlights
Opening Partnership
Nepal made a promising start in the match against India with Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh forming a strong 50-run partnership. Bhurtel showcased his power-hitting, smashing a six over fine leg and adding a well-timed four-through square leg in the 5th over.
Steady Partnership
Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel continued their solid partnership, displaying their batting prowess. Aasif Sheikh played delightful shots through square leg and fine leg for boundaries, while Bhurtel contributed with well-timed boundaries of his own.
Aasif Sheikh’s Resilience
Aasif Sheikh anchored Nepal’s innings, remaining unbeaten with 50 runs off 75 balls. His innings was characterized by patience and determination as he held the fort for Nepal.
Dipendra Singh Airee’s Flourish
Dipendra Singh Airee showcased his class by elegantly driving the ball through the covers for boundaries in the 32nd over. He continued to shine, consistently finding the boundaries, and added valuable runs to Nepal’s total.
Sompal Kami’s Power-Hitting
Sompal Kami demonstrated his power-hitting ability by smashing a six in the 45th over, providing a valuable boost to Nepal’s score. He continued to attack, hitting boundaries and keeping Nepal’s hopes alive.
India’s Bowling Full Scorecard & Highlights
Shardul Thakur’s Early Impact
Shardul Thakur made a significant contribution to India’s performance by taking the first wicket, dismissing Kushal Bhurtel for 38 runs, caught by Ishan Kishan.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Spin Magic
Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the standout bowler for India during the middle overs, claiming 3 wickets for 16 runs in 4.5 overs. He played a pivotal role in breaking partnerships and keeping the pressure on Nepal’s batting lineup.
Economical Bowling by Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav bowled economically, giving away only 6 runs in his 2 overs and successfully appealing for a review that favored the batsman, adding to the pressure on the Nepalese batsmen.
Impactful Bowling by Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj made crucial breakthroughs in the late overs, including the dismissal of Sompal Kami and Lalit Rajbanshi. He accomplished a notable 3-wicket haul during this period.
Late Over Collapse
India’s bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj and Mohammad Shami, made significant breakthroughs in the final overs, leading to Nepal losing wickets in quick succession and bundling out for a total of 230 runs in 48.2 overs.
India’s Batting Full Scorecard & Highlights
Rain Delays and Revised Target: The match between India and Nepal witnessed several rain delays, causing interruptions in play and leading to uncertainty about the match’s progress. Due to these disruptions, a revised target of 145 runs was set for India, and the match format was adjusted to a 23-over game, with the first 5 overs designated as the Powerplay.
Solid Opening Partnership: India’s opening batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, displayed an impressive partnership. After the initial ten overs, India had a stable score of 64/0, indicating a strong start to their innings.
Top Scoring Batsmen: Shubman Gill emerged as the leading run-scorer for India, amassing 32 runs off 30 deliveries, while Rohit Sharma also made a significant contribution, scoring 30 runs from 30 balls.
Boundary Hitters: Shubman Gill showcased his batting prowess by hitting a maximum (SIX) during his innings, while Rohit Sharma displayed his ability with the bat, striking both a boundary (FOUR) and a maximum (SIX) in his innings.
Rain Delays and Umpire Updates: The match was plagued by multiple rain delays, disrupting the flow of the game. Umpires provided periodic updates to inform players and spectators about the resumption of play, and revised cut-off times for a 20-over game were communicated to ensure a fair contest.
Dominating Finish: In the final stages of the match, India dominated, winning the game by 10 wickets in the 20th over. Rohit Sharma remained not out at 74 runs from 59 balls, while Shubman Gill also stayed unbeaten at 63 runs from 61 balls. Their unbroken partnership sealed the comprehensive victory for India.
Nepal’s Bowling Full Scorecard & Highlights
Impressive Start by Karan KC: Karan KC made a strong impact with the ball, starting the bowling for Nepal and conceding only 1 run in his first over. His tight bowling line and length posed a challenge to the Indian batsmen early in the innings.
Tight Bowling by Dipendra Singh Airee: Dipendra Singh Airee bowled a tight over, conceding only 3 runs, demonstrating control and accuracy.
Sandeep Lamichhane’s Effort: Sandeep Lamichhane bowled 2 overs, giving away 21 runs while trying to put pressure on the batsmen, despite the challenging conditions.
Lalit Rajbanshi’s Control: Lalit Rajbanshi bowled 3 overs and conceded 12 runs, aiming to control the run rate and maintain consistency.
Wide Ball Challenges: Several wide balls were bowled throughout the match, highlighting the bowlers’ struggle to maintain their line and length, possibly due to the rain-affected conditions.