Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul showcased aggressive batting, notching centuries in India’s final group-stage match at the Cricket World Cup 2023, securing a convincing 160-run victory over the Netherlands.
Iyer, achieving his maiden World Cup century, scoring an unbeaten 128 off 94 balls, while Rahul set a record for the fastest Indian hundred in a World Cup, reaching 100 off 62 balls. The duo’s formidable partnership of 208 runs for the fourth wicket propelled India to a total of 410-4 in 50 overs, the fifth-highest in World Cup history.
Notably, five Indian batters scored 50 or more, including Rohit Sharma (61) and Shubman Gill (51), who initiated with a 100-run opening stand. Virat Kohli contributed 51 runs to the impressive total. In response, the Dutch side was dismissed for 250 in 47.5 overs, with Jasprit Bumrah (2-33) and Mohammed Siraj (2-29) claiming four wickets.
Surprisingly, Virat, Rohit, Shubman, and Suryakumar Yadav had bowling roles in the match, a strategic move explained by Captain Rohit Sharma. He stated, “We want all players ready to bowl if the situation arises. With five specialist bowlers, we need others to chip in, and it was pleasing to see our experiment pay off.”
Virat and Rohit each took a wicket, with Kohli dismissing Dutch captain Scott Edwards, while Rohit outsmarted Teja Nidamanuru. India’s flawless run of nine wins secured them a spot in the semifinals with a perfect 18 points.
