IND vs NEP: Roars of joy in the air & giggles of laughter in the stands as the young Indian team has qualified for the Asian Games 2023 Men’s T20I Semifinals by defeating underdogs Nepal by 23 runs in the Quarterfinals. Their victory was embellished by the swashbuckling performances of Yashasvi Jaiswal followed by a clinical bowling attack from bowlers.
Jaiswal’s gleaming ton guided India to Asian Games 2023 Semi-finals
Batting first, India was successful in posting a huge 204 runs on board. Openers youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal & Ruturaj Gaikwad took an attacking mode early in the innings. They brought up their respective fifties in just 4 overs. Jaiwasl brought up his fifty in just 22 balls in the 7th over of the fixture with a huge six. While Ruturaj Gaikwad who was in the supporting role achieved their innings by playing a gleaming 25-run knock before getting dismissed in the 10th over. Nepal scalped the second wicket in quick succession with Tilak Varma getting dismissed by Sompal Kami in the 12th over.
Jaiswal from the other end was explosive in his approach as he had taken Nepal bowlers for cleaners. Soon he scripted history by registering his maiden T20I ton in the 16th over. He reached the landmark in just 48 balls. Soon, Jaiswal’s innings came to an end after Airee bowled out a full toss & Jaiswal missed it by handing it straight away to Bohara. But things were not over for India with Rinku Singh displaying his finishing skills in the last few overs & helping India to post a massive target of 202-4 in 20 overs.
Nepal succumbed in front of India’s fiery bowling attack
In reply, chasing a huge target Nepal lost their first wicket early in the powerplay overs. Avesh Khan did the job for India by dismissing Aasif Sheikh in the 4th over at 10 runs. Nepal then tried to carry ahead the innings by batting steadily. But they couldn’t succeed as they lost their second wicket in the 9th over. And this time it was young & kicking Sair Kishore who did the rituals by dismissing Kushal Bhurtel at just 28 runs.
Nepal was looking toothless in front of India’s bowlers as they lost two more wickets in the 11th over. Ravi Biushnoi displayed his magic by scalping wickets for Kushal Malla (29) & Rohit Paudel (3). Nepal then led the comeback in the 14th over when Airee smashed three consecutive sixes in Dube’s bowling. But Ravi Bishnoi again got India back into the game by dismissing Dipendra Singh for just 32 runs in the 15th over
Nepal went on to lose wickets as they lost their seventh wicket in the 17th over with Sompal Kami getting dismissed off Abesh Khan’s bowling at 7. The next one was Gulshan Jha who fell prey to Arshdeep’s bowling in the 18th over. Avesh finally locked his third wicket by dismissing Lamichhane which resulted in Nepal falling 128 runs short of the target.
With this stunning win, India registered their spot in the Asian Games 2023 Semifinals. India will aim to outclass the opponent they will face in the semi-finals & march ahead into the finals.
IND vs NEP: Brief Scores
India 202-4 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 100, Rinku Singh 37, Dipendra Singh Airee 2-31) vs Afghanistan 179-9 (Dipendra Singh Airee 32, Sundeep Jora 29, Ravi Bishnoi 3-24)
Also read, IND vs. NED Live Score, ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Warmup Match
