At the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on September 10, the eagerly anticipated Super Four stage match of the Asia Cup 2023 between India and Pakistan began.
After choosing to bat first, Men in Blue captain Babar Azam of Pakistan invited them to do so.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill both started off hot for India, giving them a strong start. Rohit and Gill punished Pakistan’s pace attack by playing some aggressive batting, ensuring that India did not lose any wickets in the first ten overs. In the first 14 overs, the pair put on a century-run opening stand as they continued their relentless batting.
In a 50-over format, Gill scored his second consecutive fifty in 37 balls, reaching his half-century. In contrast, Rohit scored 50 runs in just 42 balls thanks to a stunning six off a Shadab Khan delivery.
In the 17th over, Shadab entered the fray to bowl after Haris Rauf had bowled a fantastic over in which he allowed just three runs. Faheem Ashraf made a stunning catch to give the all-rounder the important wicket of Rohit in the penultimate delivery of the over. The 36-year-old scored 56 runs off 49 pitches as India reached 121.
Later, the outstanding Indian hitter Virat Kohli entered the game and made an effort to team up with Gill. Gill was dismissed by Shaheen Shah Afridi with the final ball of the next over, giving Pakistan yet another breakthrough. With the aid of ten boundaries, the young player scored 58 off 52 balls.
At first, it appeared as though the first game would be a drama between the two teams, but Pakistan’s pursuit was cut short at Pallekele owing to rain. This time, a reserve day for the game has been allowed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) due to the likelihood of rain at the venue.
Let’s look at the responses from ‘X’ users to the collaboration between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
Blockbuster opening from Rohit and Gill on par with #Jailer and #Jawan 😃😃#INDvPAK #AsiaCup
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) September 10, 2023
Sunday had started well for team india 🇮🇳. Brilliant opening partnership by Shubman & Rohit 👏 #IndiavsPak
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 10, 2023
Interesting approach and a good start to the game by @ImRo45 and @ShubmanGill in today’s match against Pakistan! Their brilliant partnership and skillful batting is keeping us all on the edge of our seats. 🙌 #INDvsPAK #Asiacup2023
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) September 10, 2023
Pakistan opting to field first after winning the toss playing into India’s hands. Pressure on their bowling to restrict India to 250 sorta score. And then playing Bumrah-Siraj under lights.
Said it at the time of toss on @ZeeNews and it’s turning out that way 🫶🤞 #AsiaCup…
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 10, 2023
Shubhman is looking a million bucks here
No jinxing hopefully 🤞#INDvsPAK #AsiaCup
— DK (@DineshKarthik) September 10, 2023
India
