India thrashed the Netherlands by 56 runs to register its second consecutive win in the T20 World Cup. With this big win, Men in blue claimed the top of the points table and got a valuable boost to their net run rate. Indian bowlers produced a clinical performance to defend 180 against the Orange Brigade. The Dutchmen were never in the contest and managed to score 123/9 in 20 overs.
Electing to bat first on a slower surface, India produced a solid batting display with Rohit Sharma (53), Virat Kohli (62*), and Suryakumar Yadav (51*), all scoring scintillating fifties. Indian opener KL Rahul (9) yet again failed to fire at the top.
India skipper Rohit played an attacking inning while Kohli played the role of an anchor to perfection. Kohli conjured two vital partnerships, 73 for the second wicket with Rohit and an unbeaten 95 for the third with Suryakumar. Suryakumar provided the final flourish with a breathtaking knock and helped India to post a defendable total of 179/2 in 20 overs.
In reply, the Netherlands had a poor start as Bhuvneshwar Kumar brilliantly bowled two maidens and dismissed Vikramjit Singh (1) in his second over. Max O’Dowd, who smashed three good boundaries, exposed all his stumps to Axar Patel while attempting a sweep.
Axar and Ravichandran Ashwin bowled tight lines to trouble the opponents. Both the spinners throttled them through the middle overs before the seamers returned to clean up the lower order. Bhuvneshwar, Arshdeep, Axar, and Ashwin, all bagged two wickets while Mohammed Shami scalped one.
