India vs Nepal: Rohit Sharma breaks Asia Cup record, hits 49th ODI fifty

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill's 100-plus partnership in a rain-affected chase goes viral as India defeats Nepal in Asia Cup.

In a rain-affected chase against Nepal in the Group A Asia Cup 2023 match, India captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill formed a formidable partnership, adding over 100 runs to the scoreboard. The match took place in Pallekele on September 4, and despite a shaky start, Rohit Sharma displayed his dominance with the bat, hitting a 39-ball fifty. This was a much-needed performance from Sharma, who had failed to make an impact in the team's previous match against Pakistan.

During the innings, Rohit Sharma showcased his skill and power, hitting 5 boundaries and 3 sixes. This impressive display of batting marked his 49th ODI fifty and his first since his century against New Zealand in Indore on January 24, 2023. Alongside Shubman Gill, the two openers formed a partnership that put India on track for a comfortable victory in the rain-affected match.

Not only did Rohit Sharma excel individually, but he also achieved significant milestones in the Asia Cup. He surpassed Virat Kohli as India's leading run-scorer in the tournament, surpassing Kohli's tally of 1046 runs. Additionally, he moved to the second spot in the all-time batting charts of the Asia Cup, overtaking Kumar Sangakkara's tally of 1075 runs. The only player ahead of Sharma in terms of runs scored in the Asia Cup is Sanath Jayasuriya.

Furthermore, Rohit Sharma joined an elite list of players, including Sanath Jayasuriya and Chris Gayle, by hitting his 250th six as an opener in ODIs. This achievement highlights his ability to hit big shots, which was evident in the match against Nepal as India chased a target of 145 in 23 overs.

Despite questions surrounding Sharma's form after struggling against Pakistan, he proved his critics wrong by delivering an outstanding performance against Nepal. It is worth noting that Nepal's bowling attack was relatively inexperienced, as they were making their Asia Cup debut.

Earlier in the day, India had restricted Nepal to a total of 230 runs in 48.5 overs. Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial role, picking up 3 wickets each. Nepal showed resilience with the bat, with Aasif Sheikh scoring a fifty and Sompal Kami contributing 48 runs. This was a commendable effort from Nepal, especially considering their previous match against Pakistan where they were bowled out for 104 while chasing a target of 343.

Overall, Rohit Sharma's exceptional performance, along with the partnership with Shubman Gill, played a pivotal role in India's victory in the rain-affected match against Nepal. His achievements in the Asia Cup further solidify his status as one of India's top batsmen.