Emerging Asia Cup 2023: Abhishek Sharma, R Hangergekar shine as India A beat Nepal A by 9 wickets

Fast bowling from Nishant Sindhu and RS Hungergekar followed by a brilliant 139-run opening partnership between Sai Sudarshan and Abhishek Sharma powered India ‘A’ to a 9-wicket win over Nepal in their ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023 match. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Monday.

In their next match, India ‘A’ will face arch-rivals Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday. With this win, India has consolidated its position at the top of the points table. Abhishek Sharma top-scored for India with a 69-ball 87 while Sai Sudarshan scored an unbeaten 52-ball 58.

Chasing a target of 168 runs, India got off to an aggressive start as openers Abhishek Sharma and Sai Sudarshan thrashed the Nepal bowlers right from the start. Both the openers were not needed to take India’s total past 100 runs as they kept hitting boundaries at regular intervals.

cre trending stories

In the 19th over of the innings, India lost their first wicket as Rohit Paudel broke the 139-run partnership between the Men in Blue openers, dismissing Sharma for 87.

Right-handed batsman Dhruv Jurel then came out to bat and opened his account with a blistering six, collecting 12 runs off Pawan Saraf’s over with a six and a four.

Jurel hit a six in the 23rd over to give his team a 9-wicket win over Nepal.

Electing to bowl first, the Men in Blue bowled out their opponents for a modest total of 167 runs. Rohit Poudel top-scored for Nepal with 65 off 85 balls, while Gulsan Jha played a helpful knock of 38 runs.

Nishant Sindhu and R.S. hangargecker It was stellar for India as they bagged four and three wickets respectively.

Brief scores: Nepal 167 (Rohit Poudel 65, Gulsan Jha 38; Nishant Sindhu 4-14) v India 172/1 (Abhishek Sharma 87, Sai Sudarshan 58; Sompal Kami 2-19).