Concerns for India despite ten-wicket win over Nepal

Rex Clementine
at Pallekele

Despite a comfortable ten-wicket win over qualifiers Nepal in the Asia Cup at Pallekele on Monday, concerns remain for India ahead of this year’s World Cup which they will be hosting.

After a batting collapse in their first game against Pakistan, India’s opening game in the tournament was washed out here on Saturday.

If batting had caused them some concerns in the epic clash against the arch-rivals, Nepal exposed India’s fielding woes while their fast bowlers were not able to quite knock off the opposition as expected.

More than bowling, fielding raised huge concerns as three catches were put down in the first five overs allowing the Nepalese openers to add 65 runs for the first wicket.

There were too many misfields as well and overthrows too a headache for a team that is billed as one of the tournament’s favourites, playing in their own backyard.

Kushal Bhurtel played some superb shots racing to 38 off 25 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Aasif Sheikh the other opener top scored with 58 runs off 97 balls.

India pulled back things reducing Nepal to 144 for six, but Sompal Kami at number eight with 48 runs off 56 balls ensured his side ended up with 230.

Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers finishing with three for 40. Mohammed Siraj also picked up three wickets but was expensive going for 61 runs in 9.1 overs.

After a lengthy rain interruption, India were set a revised target of 145 in 23 overs.

They had no problems chasing down the target with Rohit and Shubman Gill knocking off the runs with 17 balls to spare.

Rohit reached his half-century in 39 balls and was unbeaten on 74 having hit six fours and five sixes.

Gill was on 67 not out. He had faced 67 deliveries and hit seven fours and one six.

India and Pakistan qualified for the Super Four stage from their group while the outcome of the Sri Lanka – Afghanistan game will decide who is going through from the other group. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have a win each.

There were talks of the second-round games of the tournament being shifted from Colombo to either Hambantota or Dambulla. Hambantota seems to be the preferred choice for the replacement venue, but concerns remain about the hotel facilities around the area.