\n
![](\"https:\/\/c.ndtvimg.com\/2023-09\/7cnq4nm_virat-nepal_625x300_05_September_23.jpg\")
<\/p>\n [ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n
The Indian cricket team attained its first target at the Asia Cup 2023 on Monday – that is to qualify for the Super 4 stage. After its first game against Pakistan got washed out due to rain, India needed a solid win against Nepal to boost their confidence. Though they won by 10 wickets, India have a lot of points to ponder upon. India captain Rohit Sharma<\/a> won the toss and elected to field first, but Kushal Bhurtel<\/a> and Aasif Sheikh<\/a> got quick runs with help from the Indian fielders, who dropped three catches in the first five overs. Shreyas Iyer<\/a> dropped a regulation catch at slip, Virat Kohli<\/a> spilled a sitter at short cover and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan<\/a> let the ball through his gloves.<\/p>\n Later, Indian cricket team members praised the Nepal cricketers. Virat Kohli had some special words of encouragement for Aasif Sheikh, who scored a half-century. Then he broke into a laughter with Suryakumar Yadav<\/a>. The video of the occasion was posted by Cricket Nepal, but the audio was not fully clear.<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/aiCm8zxTJo<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bipin Sapkota (@bipinsapkota213) September 5, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill<\/a> remained unbeaten as India hammered cricketing minnows Nepal by 10 wickets in a rain-hit match to enter the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup on Monday. Chasing a DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method) revised target of 145 in 23 overs after a rain interruption, India reached home with 17 balls to spare in Pallekele.<\/p>\n Rohit, on 74, and Gill, on 67, stood strong. Nepal were bowled out for 230 after Aasif Sheikh top-scored with 58.<\/p>\n The 50-over tournament is seen as a tune-up for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India but rain has played spoilsport, forcing organisers to discuss a venue change for upcoming matches in Colombo.<\/p>\n India’s opening match against Pakistan, who were the first team to move into the next round, was abandoned after just one innings. In their second outing, India were 17-0 in 2.1 overs when heavy rain forced players out of the ground and the field totally covered.<\/p>\n Ground staff worked tirelessly to make the ground ready for play again. Rohit and Gill came out roaring and hit a string of boundaries to reach their respective half-centuries and race to the target. Rohit smashed five sixes in his 59-ball knock.<\/p>\n Nepal, who are still finding their feet in international cricket and got ODI status in 2018, put up an impressive show after Sheikh’s fifty helped the team to a respectable total.<\/p>\n Nepal lost their way after a strong start by Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel (38) but the middle and lower-order fought back. Number eight Sompal Kami smashed 48 before the innings ended in 48.2 overs. Spinner Ravindra Jadeja<\/a> and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj<\/a> took three wickets each.<\/p>\n Topics mentioned in this article<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n