An explosive Indian team destroyed the Netherlands in Bangalore by 160 runs to end the league stage with an amazing 9-0 record. With just two days separating them between this match and the semifinal match against New Zealand, India never let their guard down and finished with a massive 410/4 on the board thanks to the combined efforts of their top five players. Although the top order was unable to reach their fifties, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer more than made up for it with a brilliant double-century stand before the spinners completed the task.
After deciding to bat, Rohit Sharma didn’t waste any time getting going, as he twice smashed the boundaries off the opening three balls of the innings. But while the openers reached fifty in the first six overs, Shubman Gill was the one who left an early impression at the Chinnaswamy Stadium with a six. The hitters carried on their onslaught, dominating the bowling on the way to extending their century partnership. Gill, who hasn’t been very well in the tournament, needed just thirty balls to get his fifty, but he was unable to build on his strong start because he pulled a short ball that was expertly caught close to the boundary.
But even with over 20 overs remaining in the innings, India already had 200 runs on the board, so when Iyer and Rahul combined, they were in a strong position. Iyer completed a “perfect 4” by reaching fifty for the third time in a row, and Rahul had calmed down in addition to the two batsmen being ready for the decisive blow. Particularly Iyer was known for smashing massive sixes into the ground regularly, and Rahul also made history by reaching his half-century. In an ODI match, India’s top five players scored fifty or more for the first time in their history.
With Suryakumar Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja yet to bat, India had 284 runs after the 40th over and were very much in the running to reach 400. But while they went crazy, Iyer and Rahul made sure the home team didn’t need their assistance. Iyer finally had a World Cup century to his name after making 77 and 82 in his past two games, while Rahul also upped the tempo, sensing an opportunity to bring up his century. In the last over, Iyer destroyed Logan van Beek, hitting him for three sixes and a four, as the bowler ended with statistics of 0/107.
It was never going to happen for the Netherlands to go near that number against the most potent bowling attack in the tournament. And they did lose the first game when Mohammed Siraj got one to steal Wesley Barresi’s outside edge and move away from him. On the other hand, when Colin Ackermann emerged brand-new, the Netherlands did appear to be fighting back. In only one over, he smashed three fours against Siraj, while Max O’Dowd added a few runs to help the Netherlands reach 62 in the powerplay.
The Netherlands were left staring at a crushing loss when Jasprit Bumrah bowled an inch-perfect yorker that forced Bas de Leede back to the pavilion. Siraj then came back onto the pitch and dismissed Sybrand Engelbrecht. Teja Nidamanuru helped himself to a fifty while also giving the Dutch dugout cause for celebration by getting the ball over the ropes. His perseverance nearly allowed the Netherlands to bat out 50 overs in the end, but the host team won the evening and will go into the elimination match full of confidence after going undefeated thus far.