Asian Games: Riding on Yashasvi Jaiswal's ton, India book semifinal berth, beat Nepal by 23 runs

India’s cricket team at the ongoing Asian Games reached the semifinals after a close win against Nepal on Tuesday (Oct 3) in Hangzhou, China. India playing in their first match at the tournament were at their fluent best after batter Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed his first hundred in the T20I format for the national team. His efforts propelled India to 202/4 before restricting Nepal to 179/9. India’s women’s team has already won a gold medal and the country will look for double glory at the continental event.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's Maiden T20I 💯 powers India to a 23-run win against Nepal 👏#TeamIndia are through to the semifinals of the #AsianGames 🙌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/wm8Qeomdp8#IndiaAtAG22 pic.twitter.com/3fOGU6eFXi — BCCI (@BCCI) October 3, 2023

Jaiswal in top form

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Playing in his first Asian Games contest, the impressive lad from Mumbai continued his purple patch in 2023 with a hundred. Jaiswal took 48 deliveries to complete his hundred while smashing the ball left, right, and centre. His innings consisted of 7 sixes and 8 fours and scored at a strike rate of more than 200 against an inexperienced Nepal side.

India captain Ruturaj Gaikwad initially won the toss and elected to bat as Jaiswal and Co fired from the start. Skipper Gaikwad scored 25 runs before getting out while Tilak Varma (2) and Jitesh Sharma (5) failed to make an impression. Rinku Singh (37) and Shivam Dube (25) would then lead India to 202/4 as they dominated with the bat.

Avesh Khan took three wickets for 32 while Ravi Bishnoi picked up three scalps by conceding 24. Arshdeep Singh got two wickets and Sai Kishore picked up one wicket.

Chasing a massive target, Nepal lost their first wicket early. Avesh Khan dismissed Aasif Sheikh in the 4th over at 10. Nepal tried to steer the innings by batting steadily, however, they could not succeed as they lost their second wicket in the 9th over. This time, Sai Kishore cleaned up Kushal Bhurtel at 28.

Nepal were looking helpless as two more batters went back to the pavilion in the 11th over. Ravi Bishnoi struck his magic and picked up the wickets of Kushal Malla (29) and Rohit Paudel (3).

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How India could guarantee a medal

India will guarantee at least a silver medal if they win their semifinal contest on Friday, assuring a medal in both men’s and women’s contingent of cricket. India will take on the winner of the Bangladesh and Malaysia contest that will take place on Thursday. Arch-rivals India and Pakistan could also meet in the showdown clash if both teams win their respective semifinals.

The two nations are already scheduled to play in the ODI World Cup in India, but could also give fans an extra treat if they reach the final.

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