India opener Shubman Gill was a relieved man for his unbeaten knock against Nepal after enduring a failure in the team’s first Asia Cup 2023 match against arch-rivals Pakistan.

Gill failed to get going against the Pakistani pacers in Pallekele on Saturday (September 2). He was cleaned up by Haris Rauf for 10 off 32 balls.

However, the stylish right-hander left the disappointment behind and redeemed himself with a fine knock of 67 not out in 62 balls versus Nepal at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday (September 4).

“Quite disappointed with the way I got out day before yesterday. It was important for me to finish the game along with Rohit bhai and we did that,” Gill told the broadcasters after the game.

Opting to bowl first, the Men in Blue bundled out Nepal for 230 in 48.2 overs. However, soon after the Indian innings got underway, it started raining and a revised target of 145 in 23 overs was given to the Rohit Sharma-led side.

In reply, Rohit led the team from the front as he smashed 74* off 59 balls and stitched an unbroken 147-run opening stand with Gill to take India over the line in 20.1 overs.

Reflecting on his partnership with the skipper, Gill said: “He (Rohit) is the kind of player who likes to take the bowlers on aerial. I am the kind of player who likes to hit more boundaries than aerial. That combination works quite well for us.”

Shubman Gill also acknowledged the challenge put forth by Nepal's bowlers.

“They bowled very well with the new ball, they challenged us. We knew once the ball gets wet, it'll get easier for the batsmen. That's what the talk was in the dressing room,” he concluded.

With this victory, Team India qualified for the Super-4 round and will next face arch-rivals Pakistan on September 10.