Games-Take care!: Hangzhou volunteers warn fans as Jaiswal smashes India to win

HANGZHOU, China :Asian Games volunteers warned spectators to beware of sixes as opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed his way to a 48-ball century, helping India to a 23-run win over Nepal in their debut in the men's cricket tournament on Tuesday.

India are mad about the sport but it is barely seen in China, hence reminders to the locals to keep a watchful eye during the Twenty20 international at the picturesque university ground in the Hangzhou suburbs.

Volunteers walked through the terraces shouting, "Be careful of the ball," and carried signs in Chinese saying: "Take care to avoid."

As well they might, with Jaiswal clobbering seven sixes before falling for 100, helping India put 202 for four on the board.

Nepal number five Dipendra Singh Airee, who scored the fastest fifty in T20 internationals against Mongolia last week, then got in on the act, smashing three sixes in as many balls in his 15-ball 32 during the team's chase.

Soon after, a message rang out from the loudspeaker repeating the warning, adding: "Don't catch the ball."

India's best players are at home preparing for the 50-overs World Cup, still the sport's most prestigious trophy despite a decline in interest in the format.

Yet there is pride at stake for the second-string squad captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad and representing superpower India for the first time at the Games.

India's women cantered to gold last week, putting pressure on the men to follow suit.

"Of course, I'm really glad and happy that our girls won the trophy and the gold," Jaiswal told reporters.

"We are just trying our best. We will keep trying and working hard for it and we will do what we can."

NEW EXPERIENCE

Having skipped cricket at past Asian Games, India's debut has been a coup for Hangzhou