Match Summary
In a gripping encounter at the Asia Cup 2023, India emerged victorious against a spirited Nepal side. After a rollercoaster ride in the field that included missed opportunities and impressive spells, India’s batsmen displayed their prowess, achieving the target set by Nepal with ease.
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Bowling Woes: Missed Opportunities
India’s first bowling effort in the Asia Cup was marked by missed opportunities and erratic spells. Having been put in to bat, Nepal’s openers received a generous gift from the Indian fielders who put down three crucial catches in the first five overs. Shreyas Iyer at first slip, Virat Kohli at cover, and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan all missed straightforward chances, allowing Nepal’s openers a lifeline.
Khushal Bhurtel seized the opportunity, announcing his intent with a sensational pull shot off Mohammad Siraj that sailed beyond the boundary. He capitalized on the pacers’ errors in length, scoring 38 runs off just 25 balls before getting caught behind while attempting to drive Shardul Thakur. Bhurtel’s partner, Aasif Sheikh, had a shaky start against the seam movement but gradually found his rhythm, ultimately reaching his 10th ODI fifty.
Jadeja’s Thorn in the Middle
India’s spinners, especially Ravindra Jadeja, proved to be a thorn in Nepal’s middle order. Jadeja struck in just his second over, dismissing Bhim Shakri with an inside edge onto the stumps. He struck again soon after as Rohit Sharma took a sharp catch at slip to remove Rohit Paudel for a mere 5 runs. Kushal Malla tried to take on Jadeja but ended up offering a simple catch to mid-off, giving the left-arm spinner his third wicket in five overs.
A Spirited Nepal Fightback
Despite the middle-order wobbles, Nepal’s lower order showed resilience with a spirited partnership between Dipendra Singh Airee and Sompal Kami for the seventh wicket. This partnership, along with the rain interruption, helped Nepal post a competitive total.
While Dipendra Singh Airee fell to Hardik Pandya’s slower ball shortly after the rain delay, Sompal Kami led the lower order’s fight, narrowly missing a half-century against Mohammed Shami. Their collective effort ensured that Nepal had a fighting total to defend.
India’s Dominant Batting Display
Chasing a revised target of 145 runs in 23 overs due to a rain interruption, India’s openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill led the charge with unwavering determination. Their unbeaten half-centuries guided India to a resounding victory, showcasing their remarkable skills and composure under pressure.
Early in the innings, Shubman Gill capitalized on the width offered by Nepal’s pacers, consistently peppering the offside boundary off the back foot. However, rain played spoilsport, causing a lengthy interruption and forcing the resumption of play just minutes before the cutoff time.
Rohit’s Explosive Innings
With the revised target demanding an aggressive approach, Rohit Sharma took charge and went after Nepal’s leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichanne. Rohit’s explosive batting included hitting consecutive fours and sixes off the spinner. He raced to a half-century off just 39 balls, setting the tone for India’s chase.
Shubman Gill, though relatively slower in reaching his half-century (46 balls), ensured that the momentum never wavered. His steady partnership with Rohit Sharma allowed India to sail to victory without any hiccups.
In a rain-curtailed encounter filled with twists and turns, India showcased their batting prowess, led by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, to secure a comprehensive 10-wicket victory against Nepal. This victory not only propelled India into the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2023 but also hinted at the team’s potential for a successful campaign in the tournament.
India’s World Cup Selection Dilemma
In the backdrop of this thrilling match, India’s selection for the upcoming World Cup came under discussion. KL Rahul’s fitness was a topic of debate, with the wicketkeeper-batsman undergoing rehabilitation and recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) while the team traveled to Sri Lanka. Despite being named in the Asia Cup squad, Rahul was instructed to demonstrate his ability in both batting and keeping.
Reports suggest that Rahul has met these requirements. On September 1, he played a match where he batted for 38 overs and kept wickets for a full 50 overs. Despite limitations due to thigh surgery, he showcased his keeping skills without significant discomfort.
While Rahul is likely to be selected for the World Cup, his immediate inclusion in the Sri Lanka squad may be delayed. This development means that Sanju Samson, who traveled to Lanka as a reserve, will miss out.
The selectors face another significant decision regarding the choice between specialist Prasidh Krishna and all-rounder Shardul Thakur. Indications favor Thakur due to the team’s preference for adding depth to the lower order. Furthermore, Tilak Varma, a surprise inclusion in the Asia Cup squad, may not find a place in the final World Cup squad.
Naturally, the World Cup squad will be provisional, with each cricket board required to make their announcement by September 5, just one month before the tournament begins. Boards have the flexibility to make alterations to the squad until September 28. It’s expected that reserve players will also be included, and the Indian selectors can make changes after the three ODIs series against Australia on September 22, 24, and 27.
India’s likely 15 for the 2023 World Cup
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Suryakumar Yadav
- KL Rahul
- Ishan Kishan
- Hardik Pandya (vc)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shardul Thakur
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Shami
- Mohammed Siraj
The squad will be announced at 1.30 pm on Tuesday (September 5).
