India capped off their unbeaten league stage run with a decisive 160-run win over the Netherlands on Sunday, showcasing total dominance in both batting and bowling. The Dutch team struggled to keep up with the required run rate while chasing a massive 411, despite their efforts. Adding to the excitement, captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both chipped in with a wicket each.
Men in Blue exhibited another solid batting performance and a disciplined bowling attack to beat the Netherlands by 160 runs on Sunday, finishing the league stage with an unbeaten run. Chasing a mammoth 411, the Dutch batters gave a good fight but failed to score runs at a fine striking rate and eventually lost the game. To everyone’s surprise, Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma also bowled and both bagged a wicket.
India got off to a flying start with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill sharing a 100-run opening stand in under 12 overs. Gill departed for 51 after a brilliant catch on the ropes by Teja Nidamanuru, and Rohit followed soon after, falling to Bas de Leede for 61. While Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer added 71 runs together, Kohli's 51 was cut short by a cracking ball from Roelof van der Merwe.
Shreyas Iyer took control of the game, meticulously building his innings to score his maiden ODI World Cup century off 84 balls. KL Rahul was equally explosive, maintaining a high strike rate and punishing the bowlers with a barrage of fours and sixes. Rahul reached his century in just 62 balls—the fastest ever by an Indian in World Cup history—by hitting back-to-back sixes. With Iyer finishing unbeaten on 128 and Rahul contributing 102, India posted a colossal 410/4. In a historic feat, all five of India's top batters managed to score half-centuries.
The Netherlands' response started poorly as Mohammed Siraj struck early to remove Wesley Barresi for 4. Max O’Dowd (30) and Colin Ackermann (35) tried to stabilize the innings with a 61-run partnership, but Kuldeep Yadav broke the stand by trapping Ackermann LBW. Despite contributions of 45 from Sybrand Engelbrecht and 54 from Nidamanuru, the Indian bowlers remained relentless, taking wickets consistently to bowl the Dutch side out for 250.
The tournament now moves into the knockout phase. India is set to face New Zealand in the first semi-final this Wednesday, November 15, at the Wankhede Stadium.