The Asia Cup 2023 is heating up as India and Nepal prepare for a historic face-off on September 4 at Pallekelle. This match will be the first meeting between the two nations in an Asia Cup setting and the stakes are high for both teams. A win is a must for both teams to make it to the Super 4 but a washout will also work in India's favour.
Their first match against arch-rivals Pakistan saw his side's middle order prove their worth despite the failings of veterans Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma. Kohli was dismissed for just four runs off seven balls, and Sharma managed only 11 off 22 balls. Their disappointing performance saw India faltering at 27 for two in just 6.3 overs.
While the performance of Rohit and Kohli may have been less than stellar, India's younger talents stepped up. Batters like Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya turned the game around, contributing to a competitive score of 266 runs. Despite this, the match was ultimately called off due to inclement weather.
Nepal captain Rohit Paudel’s strategy against India’s star batters
Speaking about the much-anticipated Asia Cup clash between India and Nepal, the minnows' captain Rohit Paudel was generous in his praise for Kohli and Sharma. "We are excited to play against India. India is a big country. We are all excited to represent Nepal against India on the biggest stage. Virat and Rohit have been the stars for their country for over ten years," Paudel stated.
Elaborating on Nepal’s game plan, Paudel continued, "We have made plans to tackle them and hopefully, we will execute them tomorrow. On the field, it will be a game that both of us will be wanting to win."
Rohit Paudel also lauded Virat Kohli not just for his batting skills but also his discipline and work ethic. "Virat is an inspiration for all of us, not only for his work ethic but also his discipline, on and off the field," said Paudel.
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