Asia Cup 2023, Match 5 | Nepal's Predicted XI vs India

Nepal will be playing their second match against India in the Asia Cup 2023 (Source: Twitter)

The 2023 Asia Cup is in full swing with exciting contests coming in regularly. Only two matches have occured in Group A of the tournament with one of them- India versus Pakistan, ending up as a stalemate. Match 5 of the ongoing competition will see Nepal square off against India at the Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy.

The Nepal side faced a major setback in the tournament opener against Pakistan after the two-time Asian champions steamrolled them by 228 runs. Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed's century helped Pakistan post 342 runs in 50 overs which the bowling unit defended with no hiccups. 

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Meanwhile, the other side- India have failed to get a complete game courtesy of wash-out India versus Pakistan encounter. Batting first, the Men in Blue did withstand setbacks, losing four wickets early. It was Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya's crucial 100-plus runs partnership that helped the Indian side reach 266 in 50 overs. The innings was halted twice in the innings and the third time it did was during the innings break. The match officials were compelled to call it a day as the rain gods denied any kind of mercy to the fans and the players who were up for some crucial points. 

It's a must-win game for both sides. Nepal will be blazing all guns out to enforce an upset and create history. Having said, let us glance through the predicted playing XI of the side for the do-or-die clash.

Openers: Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh

Nepal is likely to make any changes in their opening combination based on one performance in the Asia Cup. Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh have been solid for Nepal during the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ). This is the same tag team that notched up 171 runs opening partnership against Zimbabwe in the opener of the WCQ 2023.

Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh ODI form:

Middle Order- Rohit Paudel, Bhim Sharki and Aarif Sheikh

After a collapse against Pakistan, Nepal could add some batting depth in their next fixture against India. Rohit Paudel, the captain will be a part of the middle order along with the ever talented Aarif Sheikh. But its probable that Bhim Sharki may be summoned in the middle order to add some extra depth in batting.

Recent ODI stats of Nepal Middle-order:

All-rounders: Sompal Kami, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee

Sompal Kami was promoted up the batting order in the last game at a very tricky phase and he showcased resilience against a breathtaking Pakistan bowling attack. He was also very successful with the ball in hand in the last game.  Kushal Malla and Dipendra Singh Airee are other all-rounders that should feature in the playing XI of Nepal as they have been stellar in recent times.

Here is a look at the record of these players in ODIs in 2023:

Bowlers: Gulshan Jha, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC

If we discount the last game, Gulshan Jha has had a good last few months. The left-arm pacer can be threating to the opposition batters provided he gets the line and length correct. One did see some glimpses of that during the WCQ 2023. Sandeep Lamichhane would love be known for all the good cricketing reasons and as a lead spinner carries a lot of responsibility on his shoulder. Karan KC was impressive with the new ball in the last game and the 31-year-old should be backed for this game.

This is how the trio has done with the ball in ODIs in 2023:

Asia Cup 2023, Match 5: Nepal Predicted XI vs India

Kushal Bhurtel
Aasif Sheikh (wk)
Rohit Paudel (c)
Bhim Sharki
Aarif Sheikh
Kushal Malla
Dipendra Singh Airee
Sompal Kami
Sandeep Lamichhane
Gulshan Jha
Karan KC