The game between India and Nepal is currently underway at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. It is a must-win match for both teams, as the winner will qualify for the Super Four of the Asia Cup 2023.
The game started with India winning the toss and asking Nepal to bat first. This forced a change in the Indian team. Jasprit Bumrah is not part of the team as he returned home on Sunday for his parental duties. Mohammed Shami replaced him in the playing XI.
However, Nepal got off to a flying start, scoring over six runs per over. Nepal ended the first ten overs at 65/1. Both openers added a 65-run stand in just 59 balls to give their team a good start in an all-important match.
Not just good batting, Nepal also had the support of Indian fielders, as there were three drop catches in the first ten overs.Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Ishan Kishan each dropped a catch.
3 Dropped Catches 😱 #IndvsNep pic.twitter.com/LQOnqv3yEN
— Susanta Sahoo (@ugosus) September 4, 2023
Those were just regulation catches, which is not expectable at the international level. It helped Nepal’s openers get a good and quick start. Shardul Thakur provided India with its first breakthrough when he dismissed Kushal Bhurtel, who was looking very dangerous.
He got out after scoring 38 off 25 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Before getting out, he smashed 12 runs off four balls off Shardul’s over. Notably, the game between India and Pakistan was washed out, and both teams shared one point each. India is second in the group with one point, and Nepal lost their first game against Pakistan.
Though it looked like an impossible task, if Nepal can upset the Indian team, they will qualify for the next round. However, India is a firm favorite to win the game and qualify for the next round.
