Team India registered a comfortable 23-run victory over Nepal in the first quarterfinals of the Asian Games event played at Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field, Hangzhou on 3^rd October 2023. It was an emotional moment for left-arm spinner Sai Kishore who had tears while singing the national anthem before the match began.

Sai Kishore was handed his T20I debut along with Jitesh Sharma in today’s encounter against Nepal. Yashvi Jaiswal looked in ominous form right from word go putting pressure on the opponent bowling and kept pressure on Nepal bowlers. At the end of the first six overs, India openers Gaikwad and Jaiswal raced away to 63 without losing any wickets.

Emotions aplenty as Sai Kishore swelled up during the national anthem of 🇮🇳, making his T20I debut today 🆚🇳🇵

Drop a 💙 if you believe hard work always pays off 🙌💯#Cheer4India #TeamIndia #Cricket #HangzhouAsianGames #AsianGames2023 #SonyLIV pic.twitter.com/x9fdZjIGg2

— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) October 3, 2023

 

Jaiswal showed his class by completing his fifty off just 22 balls. After his fifty, Jaiswal continued to dominate the Nepal bowlers while Ruturaj Gaikwad struggled with his timing. Gaikwad’s struggle ended up being dismissed by Airee. Gaikwad and Jaiswal put on 103 runs for the opening wicket laying a strong foundation for a big total.

Indian batters Tilak Varma and Jitesh Sharma failed to contribute big runs. Jaiswal dominated with attacking strokes keeping momentum going for India becoming the youngest Indian to score T20I century off just 48 deliveries. He was eventually dismissed with a lovely catch by Bohra trying to hit big shot. Rinku Singh provided the impetus in the last 2 overs that helped Team India post 202 for 4 in 20 overs.

Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik took to social media and wished the young lad for the game.

God has his ways of giving back to people who work hard

This unbelievable player @saik_99 who has DOMINATED domestic cricket with white ball is an absolute superstar and I couldn’t be happier for him.

Woke up in the morning and when I saw his name in the 11 , i was… https://t.co/6RijBdRP6R

— DK (@DineshKarthik) October 3, 2023

Sai Kishore’s impressive bowling

Sai Kishore had an impressive bowling effort in his T20I innings. He bowled initially with disciplined lines and lengths not allowing Nepal batters to score runs easily. Sai got his maiden T20I wicket getting rid of Kushal Bhurtel as Avesh Khan took a good low catch at short fine leg.

The Indian bowlers had a decent outing as Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan grabbed 3 wickets each while Arshdeep Singh took 2 wickets while Sai Kishore grabbed 1 wicket. Despite Nepal’s brilliant batting effort, India won the match by 23 runs to qualify for the semi-finals.

Sai Kishore took 3 catches in the field to dismiss Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee and Sandeep Lammichhane.

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