India and Nepal clashed for the first time in ODIs when they faced off in the 5th match of the Asia Cup 2023 on September 4, at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Nepal lost their first match of the tournament to Pakistan in Multan, while India shared points with Pakistan after their match in Kandy on Saturday was washed out.
India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl first as he wanted to give his bowlers some game time as well. Mohammad Shami replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI, who returned home for the birth of his first child.
Nepal batters were up against Mohammed Siraj and Mohammad Shami with the new ball and fared better. However, they were helped by the Indian fielders as well, as shockingly two of the safest hands in Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer and also Ishan Kishan dropped catches.
Mohammad Shami got Kushal Bhurtel to edge one to the slips in the first over itself, but Shreyas Iyer at first slip let go of an easy chance, as the ball burst through his hands.
Next came one of the easiest drops and that too from Virat Kohli. On the first ball of the second over, Mohammed Siraj got Aarif Sheikh to chip a full delivery in the air on the off-side. Kohli stationed at short cover, tried to leap and catch the ball at an awkward position, only for him to grass an easy catch.
India’s poor fielding continued as in the 5th over, Mohammad Shami was left frustrated as Ishan Kishan dropped a sitter down the leg side. Shami got Bhurtel to glove one down the leg side and Kishan moving to towards his left, grassed a regulation take, giving Nepal team three lives.
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