IND vs NEP: Nepal Playing XI vs India, Asia Cup 2023, Group A - Predicted

Nepal will be facing Team India in their second group match on Monday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Nepal made their debut in Asia Cup history and were placed in Group A. They had the likes of India and Pakistan to play with in their group. Nepal were thrashed in the first game by 236 runs by Pakistan. But it could be a great learning curve for this new Asian team.

Now it is time for them to lock horns with India in their next game. Nepal will face the Men in Blue in the fifth game of the tournament on September 4 (Monday) at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The game between India and Pakistan was washed out, and India got one point from that. But if somehow Nepal can edge past India, they can qualify for the Super Four round of Asia Cup 2023

IND vs NEP: Nepal's Predicted Playing XI against India

1. Kushal Bhurtel:

Kushal Bhurtel will be seen opening the innings. He is a key player at the top of the order and started well against Pakistan, with two boundaries in the very first over from Shaheen Afridi, but got out soon. He has scored 986 runs in 44 ODIs, including one century and six half-centuries. Kushal has scored 552 runs in 20 games this year.

2. Aasif Sheikh (Wk):

Aasif Sheikh is the second opener for the team. He is an aggressive opener and the wicket-keeper in the team. He has been part of the Nepal team since September 2021 and has played 41 ODIs with 1187 runs. In 2023, he has scored 537 runs in 19 games so far and is in good form.

3. Aarif Sheikh:

Aarif Sheikh was the one who showed some fight from the top order of Nepal against Pakistan. He scored a fighting 26 runs, with five boundaries in them. Aarif will be seen in action again and will look to do well for his team. He has scored 908 runs at 25.32 in 48 ODIs, with seven half-centuries.

4. Rohit Paudel (C):

Rohit Paudel will be leading the team against India. He didn't have a great start to the Asia Cup and got out for a first-ball duck. But he is Nepal's best batter and has been in great touch. He has been part of the team since 2018. Rohit has scored 1469 runs in 52 ODIs, including a century and eight half-centuries, and is the leading scorer for Nepal in ODIs.

5. Kushal Malla:

The spin-bowling all-rounder Kushal Malla will be an important batter in the middle overs. He is also pretty good with the ball in hand. Kushal has played 28 games so far and scored 632 runs, including one century and four half-centuries. He has also picked up 18 wickets at an economy rate of 4.63. He was the best batter in the ACC Men's Premier Cup 2023.

6. Dipendra Singh Airee:

Dipendra Singh Airee will be the team's finisher, who bats at 6 or 7 in the batting order. In his career, he has played some brilliant knocks in ODIs, scoring 860 runs in 50 innings, including one century and three half-centuries. He is also a useful all-rounder and has taken 36 wickets at an economy rate of 3.94.

7. Gulshan Jha:

Gulshan Jha will be another all-rounder in the team. He bats left-handed and bowls right-arm medium. Jha has been a regular performer for Nepal at the highest level and has won a few games on his own. In 19 innings, he has scored 465 runs at an average of 33.21, with a best of 67. With the ball, he has taken 21 wickets.

8. Sompal Kami:

Sompal Kami is another brilliant all-rounder who can perform equally well with both the bat and the ball. He is one of the reasons that Nepal qualified for the Asia Cup 2023. He scored the most runs (28) for Nepal against Pakistan. In 37 innings, he has scored 506 runs and taken 65 wickets with the ball.

9. Karan KC:

Since making his ODI debut in August 2018, Karan KC has become a vital cog in Nepal's team. His team will want him to do well with both the bat and the ball against India. He gave them the first breakthrough with the ball, dismissing Fakhar Zaman. In 47 matches, he has taken 74 wickets at an economy rate of 5.27.

10. Sandeep Lamichhane:

Former captain Sandeep Lamichhane will be the leader of the bowling attack for his team against India. His experience playing across the world will help him do well. His ability to take wickets in the middle overs makes him a valuable asset for his team. India will have to look after him in their batting innings. Sandeep has 112 wickets to his name in 50 ODIs.

11. Lalit Rajbanshi:

Lalit Rajbanshi is the leader of the pace attack and will be a hard bowler at the start. He has been part of the team for the last five years. Lalit has played 22 games and taken 28 wickets at an economy rate of 3.62. In the last game where Pakistan scored over 340 runs, he only gave away 48 runs in his 10 overs.