India defeated Netherlands by an impressive 160 runs at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and the Men in Blue hold a flawless record with nine out of nine wins in group stage of the ICC World Cup 2023.
Following this triumph, India is slated to face New Zealand in the first semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on November 15.
Despite a shaky start for the Dutch, they managed to recover, with Max O’Dowd (30) and Colin Ackermann (35) providing stability. However, their efforts fell short, with the team losing momentum before reaching 100 runs.
Rohit Sharma tactically utilized multiple bowlers, including Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, capitalizing on India’s commanding score. Kohli notably took the crucial wicket of Dutch skipper Scott Edwards.
The Dutch pursuit of a challenging 411-run target concluded with the entire team being dismissed at 250 runs.
India’s batting prowess shone as they set an imposing target, largely led by a stellar performance from their lineup. With notable contributions from key players like Sharma, Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, India posted a remarkable 410 runs, securing the second-highest total in the World Cup.
The opening pair, Sharma and Gill, set a strong foundation with a swift 100-run partnership. Kohli’s half-century was cut short at 51, leading to Iyer and Rahul’s remarkable 208-run partnership that propelled India’s score to an impressive total.
Iyer played an aggressive innings, securing an unbeaten 128 off 94 balls, while Rahul, after a slower start, escalated his performance to reach 102 off 64 balls, his final 50 runs coming in just 22 balls before losing his wicket.
