LIVE Updates | IND vs NEP, Asia Cup 2023: India win by 10 wickets, enter Super 4 along with Pakistan

India win by 10 wickets despite the fielding blundres.

Despite the persistent rain to disrupt the match, fans were fortunate to witness a game.

The second innings had to be shortened to 23 overs, with a revised target set at 145 for India. 

Rohit and Gill had already accumulated 17 runs from 2.1 overs when rain briefly halted their chase. 

Rohit reached his fifty in just 38 deliveries, while Gill achieved his in 47. 

Nepal put up a valiant effort, but India's dominance ultimately proved too challenging to overcome. Stay tuned for the post-match presentations.

Gill reaches his fifty with a delightful four. 

He has a handshake with his partner and raises his bat. 

After a recent dry spell, this innings is a significant confidence booster for him. 

Rohit reaches his half-century, showing a significant increase in his pace, clearly aiming to finish the job quickly. 

He lifts his bat to acknowledge the applause.

India needs 94 runs in 91 balls to win!

Both batters are looking to play in boundaries now.

The umpires step onto the field for the inspection and have a brief discussion with the curator before promptly returning. 

We have an update: play is set to resume at 22:15 local time, with 23 overs to be played (5 overs of Powerplay).

23 overs | Target: 145

There's some activity by the groundsmen and the inspection will be done by 10:00 PM.

The game should start by 10:20 PM and the umpires say it would be a 20-overs game.
However, post the said time, there will be no game.

Another interruption in play as it start drizzling.

The game has already lost close to one hour due to rain in the first innings.

The rain is heavier, might start to lose overs now.

IND 17/0 (2.1)

Rain stops play - India need 214 runs

The fielding display by India was far from ideal. With three dropped catches within the first five overs and numerous fumbles, this did not look like a team that is to play the World Cup in a few weeks. 

Apart from Jadeja, the bowling seemed rather ordinary. 

However, Nepal did play fearless cricket. 

Nepal's openers, after get lifeline, made the most of it establishing a brisk 65-run partnership. 

Aasif Sheikh held one end and reached his fifty. 

When the score stood at 144/6, it appeared that India might bowl Nepal out for less than 200. 

However, Kami and Airee forged a valuable 50-run partnership. Kami provided some late impetus, pushing them past the 230-mark.

India's body language also looked not in form and they will need to step up if they want to make it to the Super 4.

Siraj sticks to a straightforward approach, delivering a full and straight delivery. 

Rajbanshi is caught off guard by the pace of the ball, as it passes him before he can bring his bat down, ultimately crashing into the off-stump.

Rajbanshi b Siraj 0(3)

Miscommunication leads to Lamichhane's dismissal. 

A slower delivery, pitched close to the off-stump, prompts Lamichhane to back away and attempt a cut shot. 

But he ends up hitting it off the toe of the bat directly to the extra cover fielder. 

Initially, Lamichhane wanted a single and set off, with Karan responding at first. 

However, after Karan decided to abort the run, Lamichhane was already more than halfway down the pitch. 

Axar Patel quickly retrieves the ball and throws it to Ishan Kishan, who completes the dismissal.

Lamichhane run out (Axar/Ishan Kishan) 9(17)

Ishan Kishan takes a commendable catch here. 

Unfortunately, Kami falls short of a fifty.

He appears visibly frustrated as he makes his way back to the pavilion. Nonetheless, he put up a solid performance.

The wicket was claimed by a short-length delivery pitched around the off-stump.

Sompal Kami c Ishan Kishan b Shami 48(56) [4s-1 6s-2]

There's quite a bit of action on this ball. 

Lamichhane strikes the ball with force directly to mid-off and contemplates taking a single, but Kami quickly signals him to retreat. 

Lamichhane manages to return to his crease just before Hardik's throw reaches the stumps.

As the ball continues to roll towards backward point, the batsmen capitalize on the opportunity and complete a single run. 

However, Jadeja decides to make a throw at the bowler's end, requiring a diving effort to stop it. 

This delay allows the batsmen to sneak in an additional run.

Hardik breaks the 50-run stand!

This is a clever display of bowling skill. It angled in sharply, eluding Airee's bat on the inside edge, and hit the pad squarely right in front of the stumps. 

Hardik didn't even bother to appeal; he was confident it was a straightforward decision. 

Umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge duly agreed and raised his finger to signal the batsman's dismissal.

Dipendra Singh lbw b Hardik Pandya 29(25) [4s-3]

Play to resume at 18:45 Local Time

All the covers have been removed. A couple of Indian players are seen practising their catches.

This time, the rain is coming down harder. 

The ground staff rushes onto the field to protect the pitch and the square. 

Edge and he's dismissed!

Siraj delivers a full and wide delivery outside the off stump. Gulsan Jha positions himself on the leg side of the ball, attempting to drive it despite the cross-seam delivery, but all he achieves is an outside edge. 

The wicketkeeper makes a routine catch. 

Siraj has claimed two wickets during this spell.

Gulsan Jha c Ishan Kishan b Siraj 23(35) [4s-3]

There's a sense of relief rather than jubilation for Siraj, who might have been haunted by the earlier dropped catch. 

Kohli also appears to breathe a sigh of relief as he managed to secure this chance after missing a straightforward catch in the game's second over. 

The ball floats towards the cover region, and Kohli, moving swiftly backward, makes a clean catch with his right hand.

Aasif Sheikh c Kohli b Siraj 58(97) [4s-8]

Fifty for Sheikh. 

Having been granted a second opportunity after an early scare, he is capitalizing on it. 

Now, he must remain at the crease and guide Nepal to a competitive total. 

Jadeja clinches his third wicket!

Nepal seems to be squandering the solid foundation laid by their openers. 

Spotting the mid-off fielder within the inner circle, he attempts to clear the field but ends up slicing the ball straight to Siraj, who is positioned at the circle's edge. 

Kushal Malla c Siraj b Jadeja 2(5)

Jadeja claims his second wicket.

Rohit demonstrates to his teammates how to grab a sharp catch. 

Nepal's Rohit Paudel stands in disbelief for a moment before reluctantly beginning his walk back to the pavilion. 

Rohit Paudel moves back in an attempt to defend, but the ball unexpectedly turns a bit and nicks the outside edge. 

Result: Rohit Paudel is caught by Rohit.

Rohit Paudel c Rohit b Jadeja 5(8)

Bowled!! Chopped on!

The delivery is flatter with a subtle hint of turn. Sharki opts to play the square cut while staying back, but unfortunately, the ball catches the under-edge and deflects onto the stumps. 

Bhim Sharki b Jadeja 7(17)

Edged and gone! 65 runs partnership is broken!

The delivery is a short of a good length ball, with the seam pointing towards the slip. 

Bhurtel tentatively plays his bat at it and ends up with a faint outside edge. Ishan Kishan is quick to collect the ball.

Bhurtel c Ishan Kishan b Thakur 38(25) [4s-3 6s-2]

It was a slightly short and down the leg side. Bhurtel attempts a pull shot and ends up getting a glove on it. 

Ishan Kishan, positioned to the left, has a clear opportunity for a catch. 

Surprisingly, the wicketkeeper allows the ball to slip past him. 

As a result, the ball has enough momentum to race away to the fine leg boundary for four runs.

What is wrong with India's fielding?

On the final ball of the 1st over, Bhurtel was edged and dropped by Shreyas Iyer.

Soon after in the next over, Kohli puts down a sitter and saves Aasif Sheikh.

It should have been two wickets down for Nepal.

It started to drizzle when the coin was flipped.

The covers are on and we hope it is passing showers.

India have won the toss and have opted to field

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

Nepal (Playing XI): Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(w), Rohit Paudel(c), Bhim Sharki, Sompal Kami, Gulsan Jha, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi

The scenario is straightforward: the victorious team advances to the Super Fours, while the defeated team faces elimination. 

Unfortunately, the weather forecast at Pallekele isn't promising. 

If the match ends up being washed out, India will automatically advance to the next round.

Presently, there's no sign of rain or drizzle.

India Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Prasidh Krishna, Tilak Varma

Nepal Squad: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(w), Rohit Paudel(c), Aarif Sheikh, Sompal Kami, Gulsan Jha, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi, Bhim Sharki, Kishore Mahato, Sundeep Jora, Pratis GC, Arjun Saud, Mousom Dhakal