From being outplayed, outclassed and outmatched in their first two matches, India have come roaring back in the ongoing World Cup to establish themselves as the team with the best Net Run Rate (NRR) — even better than their arch-rivals Pakistan who have recorded four victories in as many games to qualify for the semifinals.
After crushing the Afghan challenge by 66 runs a few nights ago, India pummelled the poor Scotland side by a heavy margin of eight wickets and 13.3 overs to spare on Friday night to record a massive victory at a venue where they had struggled on all fronts a few days ago.
V Kohlii’s India not only mastered the conditions and the treacherous pitch at Dubai with utmost ease and command, they also sent out a strong message to the other teams that even though they may not feature in the final four in the semifinal round, the competition could be losing its best team even before the business end begins.
The defeats at the hands of Pakistan and New Zealand at the start of the World Cup indeed hit and hurt India badly, but this team captained by Kohlii and coached by the outgoing Ravi Shastri is not the one to keep on taking blows. India knew when and where to stage comebacks and that is exactly what they have done, in a remarkable manner, even though their opponents in Afghanistan and Scotland were no match.
After demolishing the Afghans, India turned up on Friday night at Dubai having played their previous contest in Abu Dhabi with a day’s gap separating the two matches. But for a team which was being described as overworked, jaded, tired of being in biosecure bubbles and longing for home — India have been on road since June this year — it was certainly sensational to have done what they did against Afghanistan and now against Scotland.
After notching up the highest total of the tournament so far — 210/2 versus Afghanistan — India knocked off a target of 85 in only 6.3 overs against Scotland, recording the best NRR among all teams in Group 2.
The architects of India's humongous victory were those players who were recently ridiculed on social media for not doing their jobs by a vast army of fans. KL Rahul, who smashed the fastest half-century of this World Cup against Scotland — 50 from 19 balls with six boundaries and three sixes — was being described as an Indian T20 Cricket League bunny and Mohammad Shami — who returned with 3-0-15-3 — was being said things that are better left unsaid.
Ravindra Jadeja was equally severe on the Scottish side, returning with figures of 4-0-15-3 to break their batting lineup and grab the Man of the Match award after the contest was over. Ravichandran Ashwin took 1/29 but in a warning sign for Namibia and possibly, other teams if India are through to the semifinals, Jasprit Bumrah was measly and extremely lethal with his figures of 3.4-1-10-2.
India's captain and birthday boy Kohlii had all the luck in his favour on Friday night. Not only did he win the toss, but elected to bowl with India looking to restrict Scotland around 110-120. The returns were even better as the Scots were shot out for 84 from. 17.4 overs, with George Munsey scoring 24 and Michael Leask making the second-highest 21.
The total of 84 was never going to be defendable for any side in the world and Scotland are no different. But unfortunately for them, India were looking to wrap up the game as quickly as possible, and little did anyone think that Kohlii's team would achieve the target in only 6.3 overs.
Rahul smashed a brisk half-century and added 70 runs in the first 30 balls of India's chase in the company of R Sharma 30 to kill the contest. India hit plenty of boundaries and sixes at this venue in Dubai, where they had previously failed to send the ball to the ropes against the Kiwis and Pakistan.
R Sharma made 30 from 16 balls with five boundaries and 16. However, there was some delight for Scotland bowler Brad Shah, who trapped the Indian opener leg-before in the fifth over. On the other hand, Rahul fell for a superb half-century to signal his phone after a few quiet games with the bat.
India will now hope for an Afghan win over New Zealand when these two teams clash on Sunday. If Afghanistan manage to beat New Zealand, it will be India joining Pakistan as the second team to play in the semifinals stage from group 2. If New Zealand win, India's chances will be over and as Jadeja said in the press conference, that without any qualms, the team will pack their bags and return home.
Devarchit Varma is a cricket writer and journalist with an experience of more than a decade, having worked at Hindustan Times (newspaper) and CricketCountry (website). Along with covering international and domestic cricket, he has also interviewed several current and former top players such as Rohit Sharma, Steve Smith, Dale Steyn, Michael Hussey, Jacques Kallis, Brendon McCullum, Shane Watson, Lasith Malinga and many more. He has also worked in other beats as a journalist in Bollywood (Reliance BigOye) and IT (SiliconIndia) industries.
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