• Asia Cup 2023: India to take on Nepal today, Aim to seal Super Four berth

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    Asia Cup 2023: India to take on Nepal today, Aim to seal Super Four berth

    Pakistan has already qualified for the Super Four from Group A with three points, and India has one point from the washed-out match.


    Digital Desk: Team India is all set to take on Nepal in their second match in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 on Monday. The Men in Blue are aiming for a spot in the Asia Cup Super Four in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. The match will begin at 3 IST. The first match between India and Pakistan was washed out on Saturday.


    Pakistan has already qualified for the Super Four from Group A with three points, and India has one point from the washed-out match.


    India can proceed to the Super Four with two points even if the game is again marred by rain.


    In their match against Pakistan, India showed a few encouraging signs that they would like to build on as the tournament nears its conclusion and far tougher tests are looming.


    The management would like them to transition into ODI mode as soon as can, even though their top four players' poor performance against Pakistani pacers - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer - may be viewed as an aberration.


    Shreyas Iyer is making his comeback after a layoff due to injury, while Rohit and Kohli were rested for the ODIs against the West Indies. The three may receive the ideal opponent in Nepal, allowing them to gain some crucial playing time and runs.


    The bowlers never had the chance to put their abilities to the test against a top-notch opponent in Pakistan, which may disappoint the team's management a little. They would have been interested to observe Jasprit Bumrah's performance after being asked to bowl 10 overs and field 50 overs. But owing to personal obligations, the pacer cannot play in the game.


    Nepal, who lost to Pakistan by 238 runs in the tournament's opening round, would like to use their zeal to hide their lack of cricketing experience. Sandeep Lamichhane, a leg-spinner, and skipper Rohit Paudel will be their best chances to have an impact on the game.


    India squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (travelling reserve).


    Nepal squad: Rohit Paudel (captain), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pratish GC, Mousom Dhakal, Sundeep Jora, Kishore Mahato, Arjun Saud.