Bengaluru, November 12, 2023: INDIA vs Netherlands In a dominating performance, India crushed the Netherlands by a whopping 160 runs in their final group game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Sunday. This resounding victory secured India’s flawless record in the league stage, boasting nine wins in nine matches.
Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul hit hundreds as India posted a mammoth 410/4 after batting first. Iyer remained unbeaten on 128, while Rahul smashed 102 off 64 balls, the fastest World Cup century by an Indian.
Chasing a daunting target, the Netherlands were never in the game and folded for 250 in 47.5 overs. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers with three wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets each.
India’s victory was a fitting end to a dominant group stage campaign. The hosts have been in top form throughout the tournament, and their batters and bowlers have performed consistently.
India’s batting masterclass
India’s batting was once again on full display on Sunday. The hosts got off to a flying start with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill adding 100 runs for the opening wicket. Gill fell for 51 off 32 balls, but Rohit continued to tick along and reached his half-century off 54 balls.
Rahul then joined Rohit at the crease and the duo put on a dazzling partnership of 189 runs for the second wicket. Rahul was particularly aggressive, hitting 10 fours and six sixes in his 64-ball knock. Rohit was also in good form, scoring 61 off 54 balls.
Iyer came in after Rohit’s dismissal and continued the onslaught. He hit 10 fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 95-ball knock. Iyer was particularly severe on the Dutch bowlers in the death overs, helping India add 126 runs in the last 10 overs.
Netherlands struggles in the chase
The Netherlands were never in the chase after being set a daunting target of 411. The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 250 in 47.5 overs.
Wesley Barresi was the first to go, dismissed by Mohammed Siraj for 13. Max O’Dowd and Colin Ackermann resisted for a while, but they were eventually dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja respectively.
Teja Nidamanuru was the only Dutch batsman to offer any resistance, scoring 54 off 61 balls. However, he was also dismissed in the 48th over, and the Netherlands were bowled out for 250 shortly after.
India’s bowlers finish on a high
India’s bowlers finished the league stage on a high, bundling out the Netherlands for 250. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets each.
Siraj bowled with good pace and bounce, and he troubled the Dutch batsmen from the start. Yadav was also impressive, picking up the wickets of Ackermann and Bas de Leede. Jadeja was once again economical, conceding just 32 runs in his 10 overs.
India march into the semi-finals unbeaten
India’s victory over the Netherlands has helped them march into the semi-finals of the World Cup unbeaten. The hosts have been the most impressive team in the tournament so far, and they will be the favorites to win the title.
India will next face New Zealand in the semi-finals in Mumbai on Wednesday. New Zealand are a good team, but India will be confident of their chances of winning. The hosts have a well-balanced team with world-class players in all departments.
Player of the Match Shreyas Iyer
Iyer remained unbeaten on 128 off 94 balls, helping India post a mammoth 410/4 after batting first. He hit 10 fours and five sixes in his knock and was particularly severe on the Dutch bowlers in the death overs.
Iyer’s innings were crucial in helping India set a daunting target for the Netherlands. He paced his innings perfectly and played some brilliant shots. He was also very good at rotating the strike and kept the scoreboard moving.
Iyer’s performance was even more impressive considering that he was coming off a string of low scores. He had scored just 20 runs in his previous three innings, but he showed his class with a brilliant century against the Netherlands.
Iyer’s innings were one of the best of the tournament so far, and he deservedly won the Player of the Match award.
Post-Match Analysis
India’s triumph against the Netherlands showcased a highly efficient and precise performance. The hosts batted brilliantly and bowled well to bundle out the Dutch batsmen for 250.
India’s batting was once again on full display, with Rahul and Iyer hitting centuries. Rahul was particularly aggressive, while Iyer paced his innings perfectly. The duo’s partnership of 189 runs for the second wicket was the highlight of India’s innings.
India’s bowlers also impressed, with Siraj, Yadav, and Jadeja all picking up wickets. Siraj bowled with good pace and bounce, while Yadav and Jadeja were economical and controlled.
The Netherlands were simply outmatched by India. The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and were never in the chase. Teja Nidamanuru was the only Dutch batsman to offer any resistance, but he was also dismissed in the 48th over.
Overall, India’s victory over the Netherlands was a dominant performance. The hosts are the favorites to win the World Cup, and they will be confident of their chances of beating New Zealand in the semi-finals.
Key Highlights of India vs Netherlands ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Match
- India batted first and posted a mammoth 410/4, thanks to centuries from KL Rahul (102 off 64 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (128* off 94 balls).
- Rahul’s century was the fastest World Cup century by an Indian, while Iyer’s unbeaten knock was the highest individual score in the tournament so far.
- The Netherlands were never in the chase and were bundled out for 250 in 47.5 overs.
- Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers with three wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets each.
- India’s victory was their ninth consecutive win in the tournament, and they finished the group stage unbeaten.
