'This is straightforward, no excuse' - Ravi Shastri slams India after they drop three catches in 26 balls against Nepal

India did not get off to a great start after electing to bowl first against Nepal in a Group A fixture in Pallekele on Monday, September 4. In the first over, Shreyas Iyer dropped a catch off the bowling of Mohammed Shami while Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan also missed a couple of straightforward chances as the fielding was far from the high standards that Rohit Sharma's men have set for themselves in recent years.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri lambasted the Indian fielding after the three drops, which came within just the first 26 balls of Nepal's innings. “Sloppy from India, really! This is straightforward. Ample time. No excuse though from the keeper’s point of view. This is as straightforward as it can get,” said an angry Shastri while on-air.

Nepal show courage to post a 230-run total

Rohit Paudel and Co. were bowled out for 104 in their chase of 343 against Pakistan in their first match in the Asia Cup 2023. They produced a much better batting effort against India to post a score of 230 all out in 48.2 overs. Their openers cashed in on the lifeline handed to them by the Indian fielders and stitched a stroke-filled 65-run partnership inside the first 10 overs.

Aasif Sheikh was the top scorer for Nepal with a 97-ball 58. Somal Kampi, who came out to bat at No. 8, played a brilliant knock of 48 off just 56 balls. For India, Ravindra Jadeja finished with excellent figures of 3/40 in 10 overs, dismissing three of the first five batters. Mohammed Siraj was expensive as he conceded 61 runs in 9.2 overs but he also scalped three wickets. Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, and Hardik Pandya chipped in with one wicket apiece while Kuldeep Yadav remained wicketless after bowling his full quota of overs.

In reply, India raced to 17/0 in 2.1 overs before rain stopped play. If this match ends in a No Result, India will join Pakistan in the Super Four. After the rain break, India were given a target of 145 in 23 overs.