The Indian team will be playing against Nepal in the 5th game of Asia Cup 2023 on Monday at Pallekele. Both teams have been placed in Group A. Nepal played their opening game of the tournament against Pakistan at Multan where they only managed to score 104 in reply to Pakistan’s 342. None of their waters managed to cross the 30-run mark. 

The Men in Blue on the other hand also faced Pakistan on Saturday where they managed to score 266 runs with the help of a stand formed by Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya. Ishan Kishan made 82 while Hardik Pandya scored 87. But the match finished without any result since Pakistan could not bat because rain played spoilsport.

Both India and Nepal will be looking to win this game as the winner will qualify for the Super 4 of the Asia Cup. Rohit Sharma’s team will be looking to win their first game in the tournament while Nepal will be hoping to create a big upset against the strong Indian side.  A good game of cricket is expected here between these two sides on Monday.

The wicket of Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is batting-friendly and will aid the batters. Going into the second half, pace bowlers might get some help from the surface, while spinners would be valuable in the middle overs.

India’s predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (W/K), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami.

Nepal predicted XI: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel ©, Aarif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi.

Squads

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (travelling reserve).

Nepal: 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.