Unbeaten fifties from Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma helped India to a comfortable 10-wicket win in a rain-marred game. Nepal were dismissed for 230 before rain reduced India’s chase to 23 overs in Palleke.
Brief Score: India 147 for 0 (Rohit 74*, Gill 67*) beat Nepal 230 (Aasif 58, Kami 48, Jadeja 3-40, Siraj 3-61) by ten wickets by DLS method
Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma
Due to heavy rain before the game, the outfield at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was slow, and the pitch played sluggishly as well. India’s fielding and catching were sloppier than usual, given the conditions. Nevertheless, Nepal managed to score a respectable 230 runs before being bowled out in the penultimate over of a crucial Asia Cup match.
However, when it came to the shortened run-chase, India’s openers displayed exceptional performance. Captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill effortlessly achieved a target of 145 in 23 overs with 17 balls to spare.
Without the remarkable efforts of the ground staff, the shortened chase would not have been possible after two heavy downpours in the evening. But once the chase resumed, with India at 17 for no loss in 2.1 overs, Rohit and Shubman performed flawlessly.
While Rohit was aggressive, particularly against spin bowling, Shubman, who began with three boundaries before the play was suspended, played a supporting role to his captain.
India’s fielding performance contrasted sharply with the openers’ stellar performance. Shreyas Iyer dropped a catch at first slip in the first over of the match, denying Mohammed Shami a wicket. In the very next ball, Virat Kohli dropped a straightforward catch at covers, depriving Mohammed Siraj of a wicket.
In the fifth over, Ishan Kishan dropped a straightforward catch off Kushal Bhurtel’s bat down the leg side. Bhurtel then made the most of the opportunity and delighted his supporters with some impressive play.
One of the highlights of his innings was a massive hook off Siraj in the sixth over, which landed in the parking lot beyond the grass bank. Shardul Thakur eventually dismissed Bhurtel in the 10th over with a nick to Kishan.
While Nepal’s batters struggled against Ravindra Jadeja, Aasif Sheikh anchored the innings before being caught by Kohli off Siraj in the 30th over. At 132 for 5, India looked to wrap up the innings, but Sompal Kami played a superb innings to help Nepal easily cross the 200-run mark.
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