Nepal will face stern test from India in the quarter-finals of the men’s cricket competition on Tuesday at the Asian Games 2022.

The Rhinos progressed into the last eight of the T20I as Group A winners with a records-smashing 273-run win against international cricket debutants Mongolia, followed by a comprehensive 138-run victory over the Maldives.

But Rohit Paudel’s men are yet to be tested in the regional competition.

India—who received a direct entry into the quarters based on their T20I rankings as of June 1, 2023—have fielded a second string side.

But their squad features promising youngsters in captain and Chennai Super Kings player Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kolkata Knight Riders’ Rinku Singh, Punjab Kings’ leading wicket taker Arshdeep Singh and Rajasthan Royal’s Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a century in his Test debut against the West Indies in July.

This will be the third time in three months Nepal are playing against an Indian cricket team.

Nepal lost to India A team by nine wickets in the ACC Men’s Emerging Cup on July 17. Nepal then suffered a 10-wicket defeat against eventual champions and India’s first team featuring Rohit Sharma and Virat Kholi in the Asia Cup 2023 Group A match on September 4.

India are participating in the Asian Games cricket competition—men’s and women’s—for the first time.

India’s women’s team won the cricket gold defeating Sri Lanka by 19 runs last week.

Hong Kong, who qualified as Group B winners, have been clubbed against Pakistan. They are also scheduled to meet on Tuesday.

Group C winners Malaysia have been drawn against Bangladesh, while Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will lock horns in the other quarter-final match.

This is the third occasion cricket has been included at the Asian Games. Cricket was played at the Asian Games in Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014. Bangladesh won the 2010 edition while Sri Lanka are the defending champions.

Afghanistan finished runners-up in both editions.

Hopes for kabbadi bronze

Nepal’s chances of winning at least one bronze medal at the Games is likely after its women’s kabbadi team defeated Bangladesh on Monday.

Nepal are pitted alongside Bangladesh and defending champions Iran in Group B. Nepal’s 37-24 victory puts them at the top of the table.

Up next for Nepal is Iran on Tuesday. Win or lose against Iran—if Bangladesh lose their final group match against the holders on Wednesday, Nepal will progress into the semi-finals, where the losing team will settle for a bronze.

Iran’s men’s kabbadi team also won the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

Thailand, India, Chinese Taipei, and South Korea are in Group A.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s women’s volleyball team crashed out of Asiad after they suffered a 25-21, 25-14, 25-11 defeat against South Korea in their Group C clash.

Aruna Shahi’s team lost their group opener against Vietnam 25-4, 25-16, 25-13 on Saturday.

Nepal’s women’s weightlifting campaign also ended in disappointment after Sharada Chaudhary was eliminated from women’s 64-kg Group B.

Chaudhary totaled 158 kg lifting 70 kg in the snatch and 88 kg in the clean and jerk to finish 12th.

Earlier on Saturday, Tika Maya Gurung could not progress into the final after finishing 13th in the women’s 55kg weight category. Gurung had lifted 60 kg in the snatch and 86 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 146 kg.