The high-voltage 2023 Asia Cup Super 4s match between India and Pakistan was on September 10 (Sunday) halted as skies opened up in Colombo and heavy downpour dampened the fun at the R Premadasa Stadium. As a result, the match was pushed to the reserve day, that is, September 11 (Monday). The Men in Blue will resume their innings on Monday from where they had left on Sunday and if rain gods permit, it will be a 50 overs a side contest.
Now, India stands on the cusp of playing back-to-back ODIs without even a single day's break as Rohit Sharma & Co. are scheduled to lock horns against defending champions Sri Lanka on September 12 (Tuesday). It is very rare that the Indian team plays back-to-back matches in ODI cricket without a day's break in between.
When did it happen last?
The last time the Indian men's cricket team played back-to-back ODIs without a break was in 2018 and, coincidently it had happened in the Asia Cup that was staged in the UAE. The Men in Blue first locked horns against Hong Kong on September 18, 2019, and on the following day, Rohit's brigade squared off against arch-rivals Pakistan. India ended up winning both the matches.
Proceedings before rain intervened on Sunday
The match between India and Pakistan was halted due to a heavy downpour after 24.1 overs in Colombo. Before the rain intervened, India was confidently moving ahead with a score of 147/2.
Batting stalwarts, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, were at the crease with scores of 8 runs off 16 balls and 17 runs off 28 balls respectively when the skies opened up. However, the highlight of the match was the splendid batting showcase by Rohit and Shubman Gill against Pakistan's fierce pace attack.
Skipper Rohit added another feather to his cap, hitting his 50th ODI half-century, while young talent Shubman supported the captain brilliantly with his own fifty. The duo managed a scintillating 121-run partnership off 100 balls. Rohit's innings glittered with six boundaries and four maximums, accumulating 56 runs off 49 balls. Meanwhile, Gill's 58 runs off 52 balls was adorned with 10 fours.
Pakistan's Shadab Khan broke the duo's partnership by taking the wicket of the Indian captain, followed by Shaheen Afridi who outwitted Shubman with a clever slower delivery.
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