In a thrilling encounter between Nepal and India during the Asia Cup 2023, Nepal’s captain, Rohit Paudel, expressed his disappointment over missing the opportunity to post a higher total. Nepal had a promising start but fell short of their desired score due to challenging weather conditions and a slippery ball. Blistering performances by Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma allowed India to secure a resounding 10-wicket victory via the DLS method in a rain-curtailed match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Nepal managed to score a total of 230 runs, but the rain interruptions resulted in a revised target of 145 runs to be chased in 23 overs. Despite this setback, Nepal showcased immense promise and determination in their first-ever international game against India in the Asia Cup fixture.
Captain Rohit Paudel acknowledged the efforts of Nepal’s openers but lamented the missed opportunities in the middle order. He believed that if the middle-order batsmen had performed better, Nepal could have reached a more substantial total of 260-270 runs.
“The openers did a good job for us; however, the middle order could have done better. We were 30 runs short, and if the middle order had performed well, we could have reached 260-270. Our lower order has been contributing well in the last 4-5 months. The conditions were challenging, but our bowlers did a commendable job as the ball was not gripping,” Rohit Paudel stated during a post-match presentation.
With this victory, India has secured three points from their two group-stage matches, propelling them to the Super 4 stage. India is set to face arch-rivals Pakistan in their Super Four match on Sunday, adding an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.
The match between India and Nepal was an engaging contest that saw India chasing a target of 131 runs. When the rain halted play, India was at 17/0 in 3.1 overs, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the crease. Fortunately, the weather improved, and after a significant delay, play resumed with a revised target of 145 runs in 23 overs.
Rohit Sharma showcased an aggressive yet calculated approach, making the Nepal bowlers work hard for their wickets. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill took his time to settle on the pitch. Rohit displayed an array of shots as he gained confidence, while Gill continued to accumulate runs by milking the bowlers. Their partnership flourished, reaching 100 runs without losing a wicket.
At the 10-over mark, India had reached a score of 64/0, with Gill and Rohit remaining unbeaten. Rohit Sharma completed his half-century with a stylish boundary off 39 deliveries. The opening duo formed a solid 100-run partnership, effectively guiding India towards its target.
In the 21st over, Shubman Gill completed his own half-century with a graceful four, securing a resounding 10-wicket victory for India over Nepal.
Despite Nepal’s valiant efforts and promising start, the challenging conditions and missed opportunities ultimately led to their defeat against India in this thrilling Asia Cup encounter.