India brush aside Nepal despite rain-threat looming large

Despite multiple rain interruptions threatening to lead to a washout, it was easy pickings for the Indian batters as the two openers ensured that they made  smooth work of the significant target posted by Nepal, in the process clinching a ticket for the Super Four stages of Asia Cup 2023.

Winning the toss, India opted to bowl first and in somewhat of an eyesore unraveling, they dropped three catches early on, which if taken, could have very well crippled Nepal early in the game. However, coming back stronger, it was Shardul Thakur who opened up the gap with the big wicket of Bhurtel while Ravindra Jadeja sneaked in a quick three-fer to bring India right back in the game.

Jaddu's victims included Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel and Kushal Malla that saw Nepal finally facing some serious heat as they teetered at 101/4. Mohammed Siraj returned for a second spell to claim the massive wicket of Aasif Sheikh, who scored 58 from 97 balls.

The fall of Sheikh though, left Nepal in choppy waters as they were overwhelmed by the Indian pace attack that witnessed Siraj clinching a three-fer while Jadeja helped him with almost identical numbers as India's counterparts could post only 230 on the board.

Rohit and Shubman Gill did come out with an intent to finish things off early but when India was stationed at 17/0, the rain Gods intervened and bit away a significant chunk of the fixture. The Indian openers would only come out to bat after a couple of hours again with a curtailed fixture that needed them to score 145 from 23 overs.

It felt like a cakewalk for the duo as Rohit and Shubman started peppering the Nepal bowlers to every nook and cranny of the park.

The Indian captain stayed unbeaten for a wonderful 74 while Shubman Gill played the perfect two-to-tango, smashing an unbeaten 67. The duo collected 14 fours and six sixes put together as India won the game with 17 balls and 10 wickets to spare.

Rohit Sharma was named Player of the Match for his defining 74 while India, in the first game of their Super 4 campaign, will face Pakistan on Sunday.