Guwahati: The all-around Men in Blue defeated the Netherlands by 56 runs on Thursday at Sydney Cricket Ground in their Group 2, Super 12 encounter thanks to an outstanding bowling effort from India and half-centuries from a trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav.
With this victory, India now sits atop the standings with four points from two victories in two games. After two losses, the Netherlands sits last and has yet to score a point.
Vikramjit Singh (1) and Max ODowd (16), the Netherlands’ openers in the 180-run chase were lost to pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and spinner Axar Patel, respectively. Both openers’ stumps were shaken, bringing the Dutch total to 20/2 after 4.2 overs.
Bas van Leede and Colin Ackermann successfully guided the Netherlands through the last powerplay. Netherlands stood at 27/2 after six overs, with Leede (7*) and Ackermann (2*) batting.
Axar Patel ended the pair’s brief 27-run partnership by dismissing de Leede for 16 off 23 balls with help from Hardik Pandya at backward point.
With Tom Cooper (3*) and Ackermann (13#) at the crease, the Dutch were at 51/3 after 10 overs.
Tom Pringle and Scott Edwards made an effort to advocate on behalf of their cause. But as the necessary run rate continued to rise, they found themselves losing the game. Pringle (14*) and Edwards (3*) put Netherlands at 81/5 after 15 overs.
Pringle was the sixth batter out after bowler Mohammad Shami claimed his first game-winning wicket after Virat Kohli made a stunning running catch at about mid-off. At 87, the Netherlands were six behind.
The Dutch side’s downward trend persisted. With his second wicket of the game, Bhuvneshwar had skipper Edwards returned for 5 off 8 balls. Holland dropped to 89/7.
Despite the Netherlands scoring 100 runs in 17.4 overs, Arshdeep Singh quickly dismissed Fred Klaassen and Logan van Beek (0). In 18 overs, the Dutch team was reduced to 101/9.
With Shariz Ahmad (16*) and Paul van Meekeren (14*) at the crease, Netherlands scored 123/9 off their 20 overs. By 56 runs, the Dutch were defeated.
India claimed two victories thanks to Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/9), Axar Patel (2/18), Arshdeep Singh (2/27) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/21). Shami scored a wicket.
At the 2017 ICC T20 World Cup, on Thursday, India defeated the Netherlands to a respectable 179/2 in 20 overs thanks to half-centuries from top hitters Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav.
When India batted first, they got off to a rough start when opener KL Rahul was caught leg before the wicket by medium bowler Paul van Meekeren for 9 off 12 balls. India scored 11 runs in 2.4 overs.
In the third over, star batsman Virat Kohli joined Rohit Sharma at the crease. Without another wicket falling, the pair successfully guided India through the powerplay. The Netherlands’ excellent line and length, though, managed to contain Indian batsmen. India stood at 32/1 after six overs, with Kohli (6*) and Rohit (16*) batting.
Although both batters did hit some significant shots, they had trouble connecting with the ball, and large outfields forced them to settle for doubles. The pair scored their 50-run stand in 41 balls, surviving numerous errant hits and failed catches.
India was at a respectable 67/1 after 10 overs thanks to Rohit (42*) and Kohli (14*).They needed to push their inning into the next gear now.
Rohit Sharma blasted his 29th four in the format to reach his half-century in 35 balls. On the other hand, Kohli was still unable to score a boundary. After Rohit was caught by Colin Ackermann at deep midwicket off a delivery from medium bowler Fred Klassen, the pair’s 75-run partnership was terminated. The captain hit four boundaries and three sixes in his 53 off 39 balls.
After joining Kohli at the crease, Suryakumar Yadav hit a straight four over the bowler’s head to end his own lack of boundaries. Suryakumar’s four helped India reach 100 runs in 13.2 overs.
With the support of Kohli (32*) and Suryakumar (17*), Men in Blue were able to reach 114/2 in 15 overs as Suryakumar continued to display an excellent repertoire of shots. India benefitted from the 16th over, scoring 14 runs. Virat continued his impressive play in the following over to score his 35th run in the format and his second consecutive fifty in the event in only 36 balls. In the 17th over, 16 runs were lost.
Suryakumar’s boundary enabled India to reach 150 runs in 17.5 overs.
India was able to reach 179/2 in 20 overs because to the continued run-scoring of Suryakumar and Virat. Suryakumar scored six on the final ball to bring up his fifty.
Suryakumar concluded with 51* off 25 balls with seven fours and a six, while Virat finished with 62* off 44 balls with three boundaries and two sixes. In 48 balls, the pair put together an unbroken 95-run stand.
For Dutch, Fred Klaassen and Paul van Meekeran each claimed a wicket.
Brief ratings: India defeated the Netherlands 123/9 (Tim Pringle 20, Colin Ackermann 17, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/9) with a score of 179/2 (Virat Kohli 62*, Rohit Sharma 53, Paul van Meekeran 1/32).