Pallekele: In a thrilling encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, India secured a commanding victory over Nepal by 10 wickets via the DLS method in a rain-curtailed match during the Asia Cup 2023. The match showcased blistering batting performances from Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, who remained unbeaten throughout India’s chase.
Nepal had posted a competitive total of 230 runs on the board, but the match was significantly affected by rain. Consequently, the target was revised to 145 runs to be chased in 23 overs for the Indian team.
Nepal, playing their first international game against India in the Asia Cup, displayed immense promise and determination. Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh capitalised on dropped catches by the Indian side and formed a solid opening partnership. Aasif Sheikh reached his half-century, while Kushal Bhurtel contributed 38 runs before Shardul Thakur struck for India.
As the innings progressed, Indian spinners, led by Ravindra Jadeja, exerted pressure on the Nepal batters, leading to wickets at regular intervals. Captain Rohit Paudel joined Aasif Sheikh at the crease but was caught by skipper Rohit Sharma for just five runs. Jadeja claimed his second wicket.
Despite the fall of wickets, Aasif Sheikh continued to anchor the Nepal innings, reaching his fifty in 88 balls. However, Mohammed Siraj dismissed Sheikh for 58 runs, caught by Virat Kohli. Nepal was 132/5 at that stage.
Gulshan Jha and Dipendra Singh Airee attempted to stabilise the innings with their partnership. They managed to bring up a fifty-run stand in 55 balls. Nevertheless, India’s Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami picked up crucial wickets in the middle overs, with Sompal Kami being dismissed for 48 after a brilliant diving catch from Ishan Kishan.
Nepal eventually posted a total of 230 runs in 48.1 overs, with Siraj taking the final wicket, cleaning up Lalit Rajbanshi for zero. Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj were the standout bowlers for India, taking three wickets each, while Shardul Thakur, Shami, and Pandya contributed with a wicket each.
Chasing a revised target of 145 runs in 23 overs due to rain interruptions, India was at 17/0 in 3.1 overs when covers were brought back as the rain halted play temporarily. Once the rain relented, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill resumed their innings, with India requiring 131 runs from 19.5 overs.
Rohit Sharma led the charge with his decisive approach, unfurling an array of shots to accumulate runs rapidly. Shubman Gill, on the other hand, took his time to settle on the pitch. The duo stitched together a solid 100-run partnership, with Rohit Sharma reaching his half-century in 39 deliveries. Gill also achieved a half-century as India steadily approached their target.
In the 21st over, Shubman Gill sealed the victory for India with a stylish four, leading the team to a resounding 10-wicket win over Nepal. With this win, India secured three crucial points in the group stage, ensuring their progression to the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023.
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