Batters are setting new records. Bowlers creating problems for the opposition. Magnificent fielding to complete domination. Team India impressively posted a 9-0 scoreline after their latest endeavor for a whitewash of opponents. The Indian cricketers were in their groove to demolish their opponents.  There was no mercy for a weaker opponent as India maintained their 100% record in the group stage. The Netherlands should not feel down getting beaten by a quality side that looked destined to lift this year’s World Cup trophy, their first in 12 years. 

Team Lineups

Surprisingly, India decided to field their most potent squad, with Rohit, Kohli, Bumrah, and Jadeja all featuring. Team India was looking to secure a record nine out of the nine games at the group stage for the first time ever in their history. The Netherlands have had a memorable campaign despite managing only two wins out of the nine. The Dutch crickets showed plenty of spirit that inspired victories against England and Bangladesh. They also made no changes to their team that got beaten against England. 

India

1. Rohit Sharma (Cap.) 2. Shubman Gill 3. Virat Kohli 4. Shreyas Iyer 5. KL Rahul 6. Suryakumar Yadav 7. Ravindra Jadeja 8. Mohammed Shami 9. Jasprit Bumrah 10. Kuldeep Yadav 11. Mohammed Siraj

Netherlands 

1. Wesley Barresi 2. Max O’Dowd 3. Colin Ackermann 4. Sybrand Engelbrecht 5. Scott Edwards (Cap.) (WK) 6. Bas de Leede 7. Teja Nidamanuru 8. Logan van Beek 9. Roelof van der Merwe 10. Aryan Dutt 11. Paul van Meekeren

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the coin toss and elected to bat first on a flat wicket in Chinnaswamy. The pitch has always been conducive for batting at this ground. The average score batting first is 265, with the teams batting first winning 12 games out of 20. This is one of the smallest international grounds in India, so clearing the boundaries is much easier. The pitch is also helpful for the spinners on some occasions. 

Fixture

Captaincy & Tactics

India showcased a batting masterclass led by Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul in their undefeated run into the knockouts, delivering a stunning hammer blow to the Netherlands. The hosts enforced a 160-run defeat, leaving the Dutch team to conclude their World Cup journey on a disappointing note.

The foundation for India’s commanding total of 410 for 4 was laid by the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who put together a solid 100-run partnership. However, it was the centurions, Shreyas and Rahul, who stole the show with a remarkable 208-run stand. The Netherlands bowlers struggled to find any answers as the Indian batting lineup swung the door off its hinges, captivating the home crowd with an overpowering display.

The fireworks began early in the match when Gill charged down the pitch and smashed Aryan Dutt for a massive six that sailed over the roof of the stand past long-on. This shot exemplified the sheer power and dominance demonstrated by the Indian team throughout the tournament. While the Netherlands team managed to avoid a collapse, they were left with an imposing target of 410 runs to chase.

Rohit Sharma wreaked havoc on both sides of the pitch, while Gill displayed sheer ruthlessness in clearing the boundary with ease. Left-arm spinner Roelof Van Der Merwe entered the attack in the ninth over, hoping to break the partnership between the two right-handers that had blossomed to 73 runs. However, all efforts from the Dutch bowlers proved futile as Rohit and Gill powered through the powerplay, accumulating 91 runs without any loss, smashing five sixes and ten fours between them.

Batting Analysis

The crowd gasped in disbelief when Gill fell quickly after reaching his half-century, caught just inside the boundary rope at deep backward square leg. The Netherlands team rejoiced as Rohit Sharma was caught wide of long-on after contributing 61 runs to the team’s total.

Virat Kohli took some time to find his rhythm, scoring only seven runs off the first 18 balls he faced. However, he eventually settled in and reached his half-century off 53 deliveries. Spectators were eagerly anticipating Kohli’s century, as he had the opportunity to surpass the record of 49 centuries in ODIs held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. However, luck was not on his side, as he was bowled by van der Merwe after adding just one more run to his total.

Meanwhile, Shreyas continued to pile on the runs and crossed the 200-run mark in the 29th over. He soon celebrated his well-deserved half-century by elegantly threading a delivery from Bas de Leede through extra cover. This marked a significant milestone in 50-over World Cups, as all the top four batters of the Indian team had scored fifty runs each. Rahul joined the party by reaching a half-century off just 40 balls, becoming the third instance of the top five batters in ODIs achieving this feat.

It was the fourth-wicket partnership between Shreyas and Rahul that proved to be the turning point. Shreyas demonstrated his disdain for the bowling attack by hitting a disrespectful six off Paul van Meekeren over extra cover. A few moments later, he smashed another maximum over long-on, leaving van der Merwe in utter shock. Rahul followed suit by hitting a six over deep square leg, igniting an explosion of excitement among the crowd.

Shreyas reached his maiden World Cup century, his fourth in ODIs, off 84 balls, and he didn’t ease up. He mercilessly smashed three sixes off Logan van Beek in the 49th over. Rahul showcased his elegant stroke play throughout the innings but also demonstrated his ability to be brutal when needed. He reached the nineties with a six over deep midwicket and brought up his century and India’s 400 runs with a flick over deep square leg.

With 42 runs scored in the last two overs, Rahul’s dismissal on the penultimate ball for 102 did little to dampen India’s spirits. His job, along with that of the other batsmen, was accomplished, and Shreyas remained unbeaten on a magnificent 128 off just 94 balls.

KL Rahul, undoubtedly one of the most versatile cricketers, has experienced the highs and lows of adapting his game across different formats. His ability to score centuries in challenging Test match conditions is commendable, with notable performances in Australia, England, and South Africa. However, his overall Test average of 33.44 after 44 matches leaves room for improvement. Similarly, his explosive starts in the Indian Premier League (IPL), including a 14-ball fifty, have earned him praise, but he often faces criticism for slow starts in T20 matches.

In the realm of One Day Internationals (ODIs), Rahul seems to have found a happy middle ground. It’s intriguing to note that his best performances in this format have come when he batted at numbers four and five, roles that provide him with a clear understanding of when to utilize his diverse skill set. When his versatility is complemented by such clarity, the results have been truly spectacular. In fact, Rahul stands among an elite group of only four batters who have amassed over 1000 runs in these positions, maintaining an average of over 50 and a strike rate exceeding 90.

Remarkably, only two of these players, including Rahul, have shouldered the additional responsibility of keeping wickets. Their averages and strike rates bear an uncanny resemblance, although Rahul has some ground to cover in terms of centuries when compared to the legendary AB de Villiers.

The mere mention of KL Rahul in the same breath as AB de Villiers may raise a few eyebrows, but the statistics themselves highlight the immense potential Rahul possesses. India is indeed fortunate to have him in their lineup; capable of adapting to any match situation, whether it be 2 for 3 or 200 for 3. Rahul’s versatility poses both challenges and opportunities, but it is his ability to consistently perform across different roles that are truly noteworthy.

As Rahul continues to refine his game, striking a balance between adaptability and clarity will be crucial. By harnessing his vast array of skills in combination with a focused approach, the sky’s the limit for KL Rahul. The Indian team can count themselves fortunate to have such a versatile and dynamic asset in their ranks, capable of influencing matches in a myriad of ways.

Bowling Analysis

Kannur Lokesh Rahul was soon back in action behind the stumps, taking a brilliant catch off Barresi’s outside edge to dismiss him for a low score. However, the Netherlands became the fastest team to reach 50 against India’s formidable bowling attack, finishing the powerplay at 62 for 1.

The introduction of spinner Kuldeep Yadav proved pivotal as he struck in his second over, dismissing Ackermann lbw for 35. Kuldeep’s expression showed his frustration when O’Dowd lofted the ball straight to long-on, only for the fielder to spill the catch, resulting in a blow to Kuldeep’s throat. Ravindra Jadeja, who came into the attack three balls later, bowled out O’Dowd immediately, limiting the damage.

Adding to the excitement, Indian legend Virat Kohli took charge and bowled three overs, picking up a wicket with his ninth delivery. Scott Edwards fell victim to Kohli, edging one down the leg side to Rahul. Shubman Gill proved his all-round skills, bowling two wicketless overs and conceding only 11 runs, despite having limited bowling experience in international cricket.

Jasprit Bumrah maintained his focus and accuracy, firing a yorker that shattered de Leede’s off stump, leaving the Netherlands team struggling at 144 for 5 after 32 overs.

Mohammed Siraj made a notable contribution by dismissing Engelbrecht, who had put up a stubborn fight with a delivery that disturbed the stumps. Nidamanuru put up a valiant fifty, hitting six sixes, but he was ultimately the last wicket to fall, courtesy of Rohit’s delivery. Rohit took a chance and ended the match swiftly on his fifth ball. Shami could not repeat his heroics from the England game.

India’s dominant batting performance left the Netherlands team in disarray, sealing their fate with a comprehensive defeat. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul emerged as the heroes of the match, delivering a breathtaking display of stroke play and smashing centuries. With this victory, India continued their unbeaten streak and solidified their position in the knockout stage of the World Cup.

Fielding Analysis

Teja Nidamanuru showed wonderful balance and composure when he caught Shubman Gill at the boundary rope. The Dutchs’ fielding, despite being top-notch, failed to stem the flow of runs. They showed passion and eagerness while fielding against a world-class side. 

KL Rahul showed his all-round ability in the second innings – finishing two catches after posting a brilliant century. Mohammed Shami was also brilliant in the field; he pouched two catches safely. The Indian bowling has been giving them an extra edge over their opponents, and this was no exception. 

Key Performances

Shreyas Iyer was at his scintillating best when he reached the fourth ODI ton of his career. His unbeaten innings of 128 featured 10 fours and 5 sixes. He put up a record stand of 208 runs with KL Rahul, who also reached three figures. Rahul’s seventh ODI century was a thing of beauty and power – a delightful 102 runs from 64 balls. The top three of the Indian batting order all got to fifties. Bas de Leede was expensive, with 82 runs conceded from his 10 overs, but he was the most successful of the Dutch bowlers with 2 wickets to his name. Roelof Van Der Merwe and Paul van Meekeren both got one wicket apiece.

Teja Nidamanuru was the highest scorer against his country of birth; the Andhra Pradesh batter continued his form from the last game. He posted an entertaining 54 from 39 deliveries. Sybrand Engelbrecht played a patient inning. In contrast, it took him 79 balls to reach the score of 45 balls. Colin Ackermann played some solid shots in his innings of 35 from 32 balls. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the magnificent Indian bowling attack, picking up 2 wickets for 29 runs in his 6-over spell. Jasprit Bumrah was in his typical form, getting 2 wickets for 33 runs. Kuldeep Yadav put his repertoire to full use by securing two wickets and conceding 41 runs in the process. 

Turning Point

Indian innings got off to a fantastic start after the early fireworks set by the three top-order batsmen. They were at the score of 200/3 when Virat Kohli was bowled by Roelof van der Merwe. But there was no further Dutch delight, at least in the first innings. KL Rahul, along with Shreyas Iyer, dismantled the Dutch bowling attack with a flurry of boundaries. 

The Chinnaswamy crowd was entertained with a cricketing treat by the pair from South India. Both of the batsmen scored the exact number of boundaries: 15, with Iyer hitting one more boundary than Rahul. This stand kept the runs coming at a quick pace, with Netherlands thrown out of the game. This partnership gave the Indian middle order much-needed confidence before their semi-final game against New Zealand on Wednesday. 

Match Result

India made a clean sweep of the group games by beating the Netherlands by a massive margin of 160 runs. 

Player of the Match

Shreyas Iyer was adjudged as the best player of the match for reaching the 4th ODI ton of his career, a fantastic innings of an unbeaten 128 off 94 balls. 

Brief Scorecard

Match Highlights

Match Wrap-Up

The thrilling group stage encounters have finally finished, and now we are waiting for the knockout phase. The Netherlands would return home with a couple of wins in the bag. There will be a repeat of the 2019 semi-final match: India will be facing the Kiwis once again, this time at the iconic Wankhede. On Thursday, South Africa will try to overcome the mighty Aussies for the first time in history. Will there be a champion? Or is it going to be a year dipped in blue?

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