Nepal’s journey in the Asia Cup 2023 may not have led them to the Super Fours, but it was marked by unforgettable moments, particularly in their match against India. Opener Aasif Sheikh displayed remarkable cricketing prowess, even scoring a half-century against the formidable Indian bowling side.
However, star cricketer Virat Kohli played a pivotal role in Aasif’s memorable innings. In the second over of the match, Kohli dropped Aasif’s catch, providing the Nepalese opener with an additional chance to continue his innings and eventually reach the half-century mark. After the match, several Nepal cricketers were honored with medals, and Kohli personally presented one to Aasif.
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Reflecting on the experience, Aasif shared a humorous anecdote about Kohli’s reaction to the dropped catch. Kohli jokingly remarked, “I should get a medal too; I dropped your catch,” adding a light-hearted touch to the exchange.
Aasif Sheikh said, “Virat Kohli jokingly told me ‘I should get a medal too, I dropped your catch’ (smiles)”. pic.twitter.com/cvgQ8URuTR
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 6, 2023
In the game itself, the Men in Blue secured a comfortable victory over their neighbors. Openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma delivered outstanding performances with the bat, guiding India to a ten-wicket win and securing their place in the Super Fours. With the ball, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj each took three wickets, helping restrict Nepal to a total of 230 runs.
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India is set to face Pakistan once again on September 10 in Colombo. The significance of this encounter cannot be overstated, as their first match ended in a rain-induced draw, making this Super Four match even more crucial. KL Rahul is expected to make his return to the Indian side in the upcoming game, creating intrigue over who he will replace, especially considering the excellent form of Ishan Kishan.
Additionally, Jasprit Bumrah will be making his return to the lineup. He missed the match against Nepal due to the birth of his child but is set to play in the next highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan.
