Asia Cup cricket: India beats Nepal to reach Super 4 stage

Blistering batting display from Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma helped India defeat Nepal by 10 wickets via the DLS method in a rain-curtailed match in the Asia Cup 2023 here at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Nepal scored 230 but the target was reduced to 145 runs to be chased in 23 overs. Nepal showed immense promise and tons of resolve in their first international game against India in the Asia Cup fixture on Monday in Kandy.

With this, India has secured a total of three points in their two group-stage matches and advanced to the Super 4 stage. India will face arch-rival Pakistan in their Super Four match on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 131, India were at 17/0 in 3.1 overs with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill standing unbeaten at the crease against Nepal when covers were brought back as the rain halted the play.

The rain gods relented, and play was resumed after much delay. India's chase was reduced to 23 overs with a revised target of 145.

Sharma was decisive in his approach and made the Nepal bowlers toil hard making merry of the excellent conditions on offer. On the other end, Gill took his time to settle on the pitch. Rohit unfurled a variety of shots as he grew in confidence while Gill continued to milk the bowlers for runs as the partnership grew in stature.

After 10 overs, India reached 64-0 with Gill and Sharma unbeaten at the crease. India captain Sharma also brought up his half-century with a stylish four in 39 deliveries. The opener stitched up a solid 100-run partnership. Another half-century for Gill as India kept piling runs as they moved towards their target.

With a stylish four in the 21st over Gill took India home with a 10 wickets victory over Nepal.

Brief Scores: Nepal: 230 in 48.1 overs (Aasif Sheikh 58, Sompal Kami 48, Ravindra Jadeja 3/40) vs India 147/0 (Rohit Sharma 74*, Shubman Gill 67*; Kushal Malla 0-11).

(ANI)