Nepal are off to a great start against India in their second match of the Asia Cup 2023 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday, September 4. Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh started well against star pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj and also had a big luck with them as Indian fielders being too sloppy in the start. Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan dropped easy catches in the first five overs as Nepal posted 34 runs without losing a wicket in seven overs.
Shreyas dropped a sitter at first slip on the last delivery of the first over and then Virat Kohli dropped Aasif's catch on the next delivery of Siraj to raise eyebrows. But India captain Rohit Sharma was in disbelief when wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan dropped an easy catch behind the stumps.
Rohit decided to bowl first in India's first-ever international match against Nepal but Indian bowlers struggled in the absence of unavailable Jasprit Bumrah. Shami's short of good length delivery caught Bhurtel off guard who tried to play it towards cover. But it took a thick edge and went into the first slip where Shreyas failed to collect an easy catch.
Indian fans were further shocked when Kohli, India's one of the finest in the outfield, dropped another easy catch at covers off the very next delivery. Kohli failed to judge the trajectory of the ball and dropped a shoulder-length catch. India's sloppiness continued when Ishan dropped another dolly behind the stumps which brought a frustrating reaction from Rohit.
Nepal Playing XI: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Bhim Sharki, Sompal Kami, Gulsan Jha, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, 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 Shami, Mohammed Siraj
