Asia Cup 2023: India vs Nepal, Game 5 – Dafanews Match Preview

Nepal will play its first-ever match against India at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Monday. India had to share the spoils against Pakistan after rain played killjoy on Saturday and the Men in Blue will look to book their Super Four spot.

We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.

Current form for India: NR W L W L

India’s batting did come under the scanner as their top order failed to deliver in the high-octane clash against Pakistan. However, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya were able to resurrect the Indian innings and it must have added a shot in the arm to these two batters.

Current form for Nepal: L W L L L

Nepal was obliterated by Pakistan in their opening match of the Asia Cup. They conceded a huge total of 342 runs and then they were skittled out for a paltry score of 104 to lose by 238 runs. There is no doubt that they will need to play out of their skin to challenge the potent Indian team.

Head to Head: The two teams haven’t faced each other yet.

Players to look out for: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Kuldeep Yadav, and Hardik Pandya will hold the key for Team India.

Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhanne, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(w), Sompal Kami, Gulsan Jha, and Dipendra Singh Airee will be the key players for Nepal.

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