Credit: Twitter
After defeating Nepal by 10 wickets via the DLS method in the Asia Cup Group A clash, Team India felicitated the opposition players, a great gesture that has gone viral on social media. On September 4, Monday, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and the head coach Rahul Dravid of India awarded medals to some of the Nepal cricketers, who were formally introduced to them by their head coach Monty Desai.
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Hardik Pandya went on to place a medal over Sompal Kami’s head, while Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid did the same for Aasif Sheikh, and Dipendra Singh Airee respectively. This felicitation from Team India has been appreciated by the cricket fans, who understand how important it is, to help motivate a rising nation in the sport to do great things, in any which way possible.
Watch the video of Team India felicitating Nepal players here:
Notably, the India versus Nepal fixture was marred by rain at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, which has been a theme of the Asia Cup 2023, at this venue, thus far. Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, won the toss and decided to field first in overcast conditions with some rain around.
His decision wasn’t the best initially, when the Indian fielders dropped three straightforward catches in the first five overs of the match, handing the initiative to the Nepal openers. Kushal Bhurthel and Aasif Sheikh shared a partnership of 65 for the first wicket inside the powerplay, putting Team India on the back foot.
But, the Indian bowlers kept on pegging away, picking up a few quick wickets, thanks to the fielders taking some difficult catches, to bring the team back into the contest. Nepal's innings fell away in the second half, getting bowled out for 230 within 50 overs, Aasif Sheikh (58 off 97) top-scored for them.
Team India got a reduced target of 145 in 23 overs as per the DLS method, due to persistent rains in the evening, which they chased down with ease in the 21st over. Rohit Sharma (74 off 59) and Shubman Gill (67 off 62) scored unbeaten fifties to help the Indians reach the Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2023.
