New Delhi: Team India’s lackluster performance in the Asia Cup continued on Monday, with its sluggish & sloppy fielding on display against Nepal. Despite the game holding much significance for India’s chances into Group 4 stage, the Men in Blue dropped 3 important catches in first 5 overs and therefore gave Nepalese batsmen a chance to build on their innings. This is Team India’s second group-stage clash after Pakistan. India started the Asia Cup campaign on a strong note but has been floundering since beginning. It’s below-par batting in first match against Pakistan earned it brickbats and now the listless fielding against Nepal is drawing ire of umpteen cricket fans. During the powerplay, the Men in Blue not just dropped 1 but 3 catches, thereby giving 3 lifelines to Nepalese batsmen. And, those giving them a lifeline were among fittest Indian cricketers including Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan, the cricketer whose sensational batting drew everyone’s attention. Shreyas Iyer dropped the catch of Nepal opener Kushal Bhurtel in the first slip. He missed out the quickly moving ball in the slips and thus foiled Md Shami’s first wicket. Team india back to back 3 catches dropped#indvsnep #nepvsind #AsiaCup2023 #AsiaCup #ViratKohli #IshanKishan #sreyasiyyar pic.twitter.com/keeKACtzB5 — Moinul Huda (@MoinulHuda2) September 4, 2023 Next was Virat Kohli, who ended up giving Aasif Sheikh a lifeline. Sheikh had hit the ball on shot cover point and it was an easy catch but Kohli fumbled at the last moment. Ishan Kishan also came in line of fire for giving Bhurtel, another life. Kishan had a fair chance to grab the catch but he failed. The Nepali batsmen took advantage of the missed catches and went to build big partnerships. Till last reports, they had crosses 140 runs in 30 overs. Earlier, Team India chose to bowl first after winning the toss at at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. For the unversed, Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah took a break mid-way from the series and return home as he turned father. This is India’s first-ever ODI match with Nepal.
