Key Takeaways:
- India’s fielding performance was marred by three dropped catches early in the game.
- Kushal Bhurtel’s attacking play put pressure on India, but the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav turned the game around with their left-arm spin.
- Jadeja’s remarkable spell included the crucial dismissals of Nepal’s captain Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel, and Kushal Malla.
- Aasif Sheikh played a gritty innings for Nepal, reaching his fifty and winning over the fans.
- Mohammed Siraj made a significant impact, ending Aasif Sheikh’s innings and claiming more wickets.
- Rain briefly interrupted the match, but no overs were lost.
- Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami bowled effectively, contributing to Nepal’s final wicket tally.
In a thrilling international cricket showdown, India faced off against Nepal, showcasing both their strengths and vulnerabilities on the field. While India ultimately emerged victorious, it was not without its fair share of drama.
From the very start, it was evident that India’s fielding was less than stellar. Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli, and Ishan Kishan all dropped catches in the opening five overs, providing Nepal with opportunities they were quick to capitalize on.
Opener Kushal Bhurtel’s aggressive approach, despite being given two chances, put India on the back foot as he showcased his skills, even hitting a remarkable hook shot that sailed over square leg for a maximum.
However, India’s spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav turned the tide in their favour. The dry Pallekele pitch, previously used for the Pakistan-India clash, favoured their left-arm spin, producing turn and unpredictable bounce.
Jadeja’s remarkable spell saw him dismiss Nepal’s captain Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel, and Kushal Malla in quick succession. It was only in his eighth over that Nepal managed to score a boundary off him.
Kuldeep also played a crucial role, creating a close lbw appeal that Aasif Sheikh managed to successfully reverse after a review. Together, they combined for figures of 20-0-74-3, making life difficult for Nepal’s batters, who struggled against high-quality wristspin.
Despite Aasif Sheikh’s valiant fifty for Nepal, it was Mohammed Siraj who brought his innings to an end in the 30th over. A leading edge was caught by Kohli, making amends for an earlier drop. Siraj further demonstrated his prowess by removing Gulsan Jha before rain temporarily halted play.
After the resumption, Hardik Pandya took center stage, trapping Dipendra Singh Airee with an off-cutter. Nepal continued to fight, but Mohammed Shami’s extra bounce proved too much for Sompal Kami, ending his impressive innings at 48. With the combined efforts of Shami and Siraj, Nepal was bowled out for 230 in 48.2 overs.
India’s victory came after a rollercoaster of events, marked by fielding blunders and spin wizardry. While Nepal displayed commendable resilience, it was ultimately India’s day to shine as they clinched a hard-fought win on the cricketing stage.