After winning the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav opted to bat. Abhishek Sharma continued his horror show with a third consecutive duck. Ishan Kishan provided some stability at the top with an 18-run cameo.
Shivam Dubey was the star of the show for the hosts, scoring 66 runs in just 31 balls, including four fours and six sixes. After some sloppy batting in the first half of the innings, it was Dube’s knock that helped India reach 193 in their 20 overs. He was well complemented by Suryakumar Yadav (34 off 28 balls), Hardik Pandya (30 off 21 balls) and Tilak Varma. For Netherlands, Logan van Beek took three wickets, while Aryan Dutt took two wickets, including Abhishek’s in the very first over.
In reply, the Dutch team gave India a good fight, scoring 176 in their 20 overs. However, the target proved too high for them as they lost the match by 17 runs. All their top-class batters, including Michael Lewitt (24 runs), Colin Ackerman (23 runs) and Bas de Leede (33 off 23 balls) got the starts, but none could convert.
From the Indian bowling, it was yet another clinical performance as the No. 1 T20I bowler in the world Varun Chakraborty continued his dream form, taking three wickets for just 14 runs in three overs, while Shivam Dube also picked up two to help his team win the match.
Who said what?
Shivam Dube, Player of the Match
I tried to push boundaries. I tried to hit six. I enjoy hitting sixes, but the situation requires the bowler to be good. I have to prepare myself to push boundaries too. Yes, definitely, because I have worked that way too, because I know all the bowlers, they are going to bluff me too. They won’t bowl yorkers or length balls to me. They will come up short. They’re going to bowl me slower balls. So I prepared myself, so that’s what I was waiting for.”
“When I came today, it wasn’t that situation where I could keep the strike rate up, but at some point there was something where I thought this is the time that I can go now. Yes, I’m definitely working very hard on my bowling and yes, the results are coming, but yes, it’s a T20 game. You’re going to bat, you’re going to get hit at some point, but you’re also going to take wickets.”
Scott Edwards, Netherlands (losing captain)
“I thought Aryan had a lot of praise. He has been sensational for us for a few years now. And yes, I thought he really set it up for them and almost got us that third wicket there. And yes, we felt good in the game the entire time. (on restricting India for most of their innings) Yes, absolutely. You know, we know they have firepower. So, you know, to control those guys for 14, 15 overs was sensational. I thought, you know, maybe a few missed opportunities, maybe a little bit of mis-execution and players like these are going to make you pay.”
“I think we played a lot of good cricket and there were probably only a few moments. And if that’s the case, if you only play four games, you have to make those moments count. All I’m saying is we’ll be better off with the lessons and hopefully better luck next time.”
Suryakumar Yadav, India (winning captain)
“I’m very happy with the way things are going. The contribution comes from almost every hitter. That’s what I want, those little, little partnerships. If the game is a bit tight, maybe one or two will have a good day, but we need the support of all the hitters to get a good score.”
“I think we wanted to bat first. We went on to score 190 and when we came out there was a bit of dew, a bit challenging for the bowlers but all in all, at the end of the day, very happy. (happy to hit first) Exactly, I mean we could be in a similar situation the next day too. We may get a slow start but it is very important that all batters understand what the responsibility is, how the wicket plays in the middle overs. And then later we have enough firepower with Hardik, Shivam, Rinku, Axar or Washi, whoever to finish the game nicely.”
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