T20 World Cup: Netherlands crumble against dominant India

India registered a convincing victory of 56 runs against the Netherlands to go to the top position of Group 2.

Half-centuries from Rohit, Kohli, and Suryakumar helped India to set a target of 180 runs on the board.

In reply, the Indian bowlers restricted the Netherlands to just 123-9 from their 20 overs. 

Thanks to this win, they have also gained a healthy boost in their NRR.

Batting first on a batting-friendly SCG pitch, India struggled a bit early on but they managed to reach a good total of 179 runs, courtesy of half-centuries from their trio of Sharma, Kohli and Yadav.

A good start from the Netherlands bowlers:

The Netherlands bowlers were excellent in the first half of the Indian inning, especially in the powerplay.

Paul van Meekeren removed KL Rahul early on for just 9 runs in the third over.

The Netherlands bowlers kept things tight in the powerplay. But unluckily they didn’t get enough help from the fielders as Rohit Sharma was dropped in the 5th over when the score was just 27-1.

India scored just 32 runs from the powerplay with the loss of 1 wicket. 

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli added 73 runs for the second wicket.

The skipper Rohit Sharma scored the bulk of runs during that partnership. He scored 53 runs off just 39 balls including 4 fours and 3 brilliant sixes.

Back-to-back half-centuries for Kohli

After that masterclass against Pakistan, Virat Kohli continued his excellent form and scored his second consecutive half-century.

He remained unbeaten till the end on 62 runs off 44 balls.

Kohli added 95 runs for the 3rd wicket alongside Suryakumar Yadav. Virat Kohli smashed 3 fours and 2 sixes in his knock.  

Suryakumar Yadav played a superb and quick-fire knock of 51 runs off just 25 balls in the end.

He continued his brilliant form in 2022 and smashed the opposition bowlers all-round the ground in the final overs.

SKY smashed 7 fours and a six at a strike rate of 200 plus. The right-handed batsman was also given the Player of the Match award for his outstanding batting. 

A clinical performance from the Indian bowlers

Defending 180 runs, the Indian bowlers were clinical with the ball.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar set the tone by bowling two maiden overs including the first wicket of Vikramjit Singh at the top.

The spinners continued the momentum and destroyed the middle order of the Netherlands.

Both Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin picked two wickets each for their side. 

The Netherlands continued to lose wickets at regular intervals throughout the innings and in the end, they only managed to reach 123-9 and lost the game by 56 runs.

Tim Pringle was the top scorer with 20 runs off 15 balls including a four and a six.

Except Shami and Pandya all the Indian bowlers scalped two wickets each for India. 

The Indian bowlers restricted the Netherlands to just 123-9 from their 20 overs.