Highlights of India vs. Netherlands in the 2023 Cricket World Cup show: IND defeats NED by 160 runs to go undefeated in the group stage.
India showcased a dominant performance, both with the bat and ball, to secure a commanding 160-run victory over the Netherlands in their final World Cup 2023 league match. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru witnessed a packed crowd on Diwali, where Indian batsmen displayed a spectacular show before bowlers exhibited clinical prowess on a favorable batting pitch.
Maintaining an unbeaten record in the single round-robin format, India, led by Rohit Sharma, clinched nine consecutive wins in the league stage. Their latest triumph set the stage for a semi-final clash against New Zealand in Mumbai.
Prior to their final league match, India affirmed their commitment to intensity, evident in their stellar performance in Bengaluru. Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 128 and KL Rahul’s rapid 62-ball hundred propelled India to their second-highest World Cup total of 410. The Indian batters, seizing the advantage of winning the toss, created a new World Cup record by having all top 5 batsmen score at least fifty—an unprecedented feat in tournament history.
Facing a resilient Netherlands side that had previously defeated South Africa and Bangladesh, India encountered a challenge with the ball. However, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav claimed 2 wickets each, while Jasprit Bumrah secured a double scalp. On the festive occasion, Virat Kohli contributed both with the bat (51 runs) and ball, securing his first World Cup wicket by dismissing Netherlands’ captain, Scott Edwards.
In a festive twist, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also tried their hands at bowling, with Kohli dismissing Edwards and Rohit taking the final wicket on Diwali.
Although the Netherlands lost early wickets, they exhibited commendable resistance on a helpful pitch. Max O’Dowd and Colin Ackermann’s 61-run partnership in the powerplay posed a challenge to India. However, breakthroughs from Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, coupled with contributions from part-time bowlers like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, eventually limited the Netherlands to 250.
Rohit Sharma, leading from the front, not only contributed with the bat, scoring 61 runs, but also set a World Cup record for the most sixes by a captain in 2023. Despite Rohit and Gill’s initial explosive partnership, it was Shreyas Iyer who stole the show with a dominant century, handling short balls adeptly and becoming the first No. 4 batter for India since Yuvraj Singh in 2011 to achieve a World Cup hundred. KL Rahul added to the festivities with a quick 62-ball hundred, marking the fastest by an Indian player in World Cups.
India’s comprehensive all-round performance served as a perfect preparation for their upcoming challenge—a semi-final rematch against New Zealand, a repeat of the 2019 encounter.
