Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul's centuries propelled India to a resounding 160-run victory over the Netherlands in the final group stage match of the World Cup in the final league match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.
The dynamic duo's partnership of 208 runs guided India to an imposing total of 410-4. The hosts showcased their depth by employing nine bowlers, dismissing the Dutch for 250.
Iyer's unbeaten 128, his first World Cup century, came off 84 balls, featuring 10 fours and five sixes. Rahul's explosive tonne, the fastest by an Indian in World Cups (62 balls), added to India's batting fireworks. Despite falling short of their highest World Cup total, the top-five Indian batsmen, including skipper Rohit Sharma (61) and Shubman Gill (51), all contributed significantly.
The victory marked India's perfect nine wins in nine group games, setting the stage for a semi-final clash against New Zealand in Mumbai. Rohit Sharma expressed satisfaction with the team's clinical performance throughout the league stage, emphasising the importance of everyone buying into the team's strategy.
In response, the Netherlands struggled to mount a serious challenge, losing wickets at regular intervals. Virat Kohli, showcasing his gentle medium pace after nine years, claimed a wicket, dismissing opposition captain Scott Edwards. The Dutch, who had stunned South Africa earlier in the tournament, finished at the bottom of the 10-team table.
India's dominance continues as they head into the semi-finals with confidence, leaving behind a perfect group stage and eyeing success in the knockout rounds.
