'Body language seemed flat': Ravi Shastri lambasts Rohit Sharma & Co. for dropping sitters

On Monday, September 4, 2023, Team India defeated Nepal in its first match of the Asia Cup 2023, after meeting Pakistan in a rain-affected match. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill led India to victory over Nepal, which scored 230 runs in 48.2 overs. Due to rain, the overs were cut to 23 during India's innings, which they won by pursuing 147 runs in 20.1 overs (DLS method) without dropping a single wicket.

3 things you need to know 

• After winning the toss, India elected to bowl
• Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill both reached half-centuries
• On September 10, 2023, India will compete against Pakistan

Also Read: 'Not A Fair Comparison': Ex-cricketer Gives A Major Verdict On Ravindra Jadeja Ahead Of WC

IND vs NEP: Ravi Shastri makes a huge statement about Team India

Following Monday's rain-delayed Group A match against Nepal, Rohit Sharma's India cricket team secured victory and moved to the Super 4 round of the Asia Cup 2023. India won by 10 wickets using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill showed great perseverance in their pursuit of a score of 231 runs. 

Despite this, the Indian cricket squad had some difficulties. After electing to field first, India's players showed a lack of vigilance by dropping three easy catches before finding their bearings. Former Indian cricket coach Ravi Shastri was critical of the team's initial "body language" on the pitch. Talking to StarSports, he said: 

The approach, at the very beginning, those catches going down. The body language seemed flat. It took those three catches to wake them up. By that time their openers were going well, Jadeja came and stemmed the rot,

Put in to bat which had a little bit of moisture and had something for the fast bowlers, I think Nepal did an outstanding job. They will take that score.

Ravindra Jadeja was one of the best players on the pitch for the Indian cricket team. The spin king took out Bhim Sharki (7) and Nepal's skipper Rohit Paudel in the same over (20). Then, Jadeja took out Kushal Malla, which dealt a major blow to the opposition's chances. After 10 overs, Indian spinner Jadeja has taken 3 wickets and allowed only 40 runs, making him the top bowler in the game at Pallekele International Stadium. 

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Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma were unharmed during IND vs NEP 

7⃣4⃣* Runs
5⃣9⃣ Balls
6⃣ Fours
5⃣ Sixes

Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front & bagged the Player of the Match award as #TeamIndia beat Nepal to seal a place in the Super 4s of #AsiaCup23 👏 👏 #INDvNEP

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/i1KYESEMV1 pic.twitter.com/IBa0KFg9pT

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 4, 2023

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were enough to chase down the score of 147 (after DLS) in 22.1 overs. The captain made 74 runs out of the 59 balls he faced. On the other hand, the youngster Shubman Gill managed to make 67 runs in 62 balls to send India to the ‘Super Four’ of the competition. India will now have a re-match against Pakistan on September 10, 2023.