Nepal’s skipper Rohit Paudel says that looking at the overhead conditions, they would have bowled first as well. Mentions that today is the biggest day in Nepal cricket. Adds that they want to showcase their skills to the world and that they are looking forward to this game. Informs that they have made one change to the side – Bhim Sharki comes in for Aarif Sheikh.
Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper says that they will bowl first. Adds that there’s no particular reason for it just that they batted first last time around and given the weather, there might not be a full game so wanted to test their bowling. Mentions that the way Hardik and Kishan batted in the last game after losing early wickets was good to see and it’s a positive sign for them and will look to come out on top here. Informs that they just have one change as Jasprit Bumrah has returned home for the birth of his child and Mohammad Shami comes into the team.
Nepal (Playing XI) – Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (WK), Bhim Sharki (In for Aarif Sheikh), Rohit Paudel (C), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi.
India (Playing XI) – Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami (In for Jasprit Bumrah).
TOSS – The coin toss lands in the favour of India and Rohit Sharma has opted to BOWL first.
PITCH REPORT – Matthew Hayden and Sanjay Manjrekar are pitchside. Hayden says that the pitch is the same one used in the previous game. Adds that the pitch is nice and dry and the spinners will get some turn and bounce from it as well. Manjrekar adds that if India win the toss they might bowl first in order to test their bowling strength.
On the flip side, Nepal are coming off a crushing defeat against Pakistan in what was their debut game in the Asia Cup. With the ball, they began well, but shoddy fielding and below-par bowling allowed Babar Azam and Co. to get away. In front of Pakistan’s quality bowling attack, their batters stood no chance and will have their work cut out again, more so with the overcast conditions expected in this game. Skipper Rohit Paudel will have to lead from the front if they are to challenge this strong Indian unit. Can Nepal spring a surprise? Or will India cruise their way to the Super Four? Stick around to find out, as the toss and team news is not far away.
In India’s campaign opener against arch-rivals Pakistan, rain had the final say, and both sides settled for a point each. Having struggled against the moving ball in the last outing, the Indian batters will be hoping to gain confidence with some runs under their belt. India will be without the services of Jasprit Bumrah, who has flown back home for the birth of his first child, and he is likely to be replaced by Mohammad Shami for this game. Having not gotten an opportunity to test themselves out in the first game, India’s bowlers will be itching to get on the field here.
Hello and a warm welcome, folks! It is time for Group A action in the 2023 Asia Cup, where India take on Nepal at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy. This is a must-win game for both sides if they are to progress to the Super Four. As far as the weather is concerned, it is expected to get better over the course of the day, but if the game gets called off due to rain, India will go through to the next stage.
… MATCH DAY …
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