IND vs NEP: India playing XI vs Nepal, Quarter-final 1, Asian Games Men T20I 2023 - Predicted

India will face Nepal in Quarterfinal 1 of the Asian Games Men T20I 2023.

The men's cricket tournament at Asian Games 2023 has reached the knockout stage. The 13 teams that took part in the competition and five teams have been eliminated. Now, it is time for the quarter-finals of the tournament. Four quarter-final matches will take place to find four semi-finalists.

The first quarter-finals will see a contest between India and Nepal. This game will take place on October 3 (Tuesday) at the Pingfeng International Cricket Field in Hangzhou. Nepal won both games by a big margin in the group stage, but their biggest challenge will be against India. Indian team will be favourites to win the game. Here is the predicted XI of India.

IND vs NEP: India's Predicted playing XI vs Nepal

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad (C) :

Ruturaj Gaikwad will be leading India's men's cricket team in Asian Games in 2023. He recently played in the ODIs against Australia and did well. He is in good form and will be keen to carry on his form in Asian Games. Though his T20I numbers are not good, he will be a big wicket at the top.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal :

Yashasvi Jaiswal is another in-form Indian player who is coming off with good games at the international level. The left-hander has been in great form since IPL in 2023. He scored 625 in 14 games, which earned him his maiden call for India. Jaiswal will look to do well at the top and will enjoy batting in Hangzhou.

3. Shivam Dube :

Shivam Dube recently made his comeback on Ireland tour and had some good match time. The hard-hitting all-rounder will be very dangerous on the small ground, and he can single-handedly demolish Nepal bowling attack. If he gets going, India will be breaking many records. Dube can clear any boundary, and Hangzhou is a very small venue.

4. Tilak Varma :

Tilak Varma is another Indian player who made his debut for India after doing well in IPL 2023. The left-hander did well in his debut series and got the chance to feature in Asia Cup 2023 with India's full-strength team. Tilak has another opportunity to do well, this time for Asian Games 2023.

5. Jitesh Sharma (Wk) :

Jitesh Sharma is likely to be India's first-choice keeper in the team and will finally get a chance to make his debut in Indian team. The wicket-keeper batter has had two brilliant seasons in IPL for Punjab Kings. Jitesh is a naturally aggressive batter who can tear apart any bowling attack and change the game in a span of a few overs.

6. Rinku Singh :

Rinku Singh has changed his life since he hit five consecutive sixes to win a game against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023 for KKR. And that kicked off a dream run for the left-hander, and he has become one of the new emerging talents in India. He will be the player to watch out for, and Nepal will be aware of him.

7. Washington Sundar :

Spin all-rounder Washington Sundar is in India's scheme of things for the international team and has played a few games in recent times. He was part of Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka and then played the third ODI against Australia. Sundar was one of the candidates to replace Axar Patel. But he is at Asian Games and will be a key part of Indian team.

8. Ravi Bishnoi :

Ravi Bishnoi is India's premium leg spinner and will be the strike bowler for the team. He is a wicket-taker, and having a leg-spinner is a luxury for India. Bishnoi has always performed well when given a chance. Nepal haven't played a good bowling attack so far, and Bishnoi will be their biggest challenge against India.

9. Umran Malik :

Umran Malik is India's fastest bowler in the squad. He replaced the injured Shivam Mavi in the squad. Umran will be one of the fastest bowlers that Nepal have ever faced so far. He will be India's new-ball bowler and will be keen to do well to get back a place in Indian side.

10. Arshdeep Singh :

Arshdeep Singh has been India's highest wicket-taker in the shorter format in the last year or so. He will be leading Indian bowling attack in the tournament. The left-arm pacer has the ability to swing the ball a long way, which will surely trouble Nepal's top-order batter. He can change the game in the first few overs.

11. Mukesh Kumar :

Mukesh Kumar recently made his debut across formats for India on West Indies tour and did an amazing job. The emerging pacer is a hit-the-deck bowler who always gets bounced from any pitch. Mukesh has some good performances under his belt and will be looking to give India a good start.