- Friday, April 26, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA continued to make a strong comeback into the T20 World Cup 2021 as they hammered Scotland by eight wickets in their fourth match of Group 2 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the United Arab Emirates, on Friday (5).
Indian openers KL Rahul (50 off 19) and Rohit Sharma (30 off 16) gave their team a blistering start after Scotland set them a paltry target of 86 in 20 overs. The opening duo put up 53 runs in just four overs, which is the fastest team fifty in the tournament. India lost both the openers but their contributions helped the former champions to win the game in just 6.3 overs, which helped their net run-rate take a major jump. India are now placed third in the points table with four points from four games but their net run-rate (1.619) is better than the second-placed New Zealand who have six points from four games (1.277). Pakistan have already qualified for the semi-finals and the contest for the second semi-final berth is between New Zealand, India and Afghanistan who also have four points from as many games.
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India produced a clinical show against Scotland after Virat Kohli, who turned 33 the same day, won the toss and asked Kyle Coetzer’s team to bat first. The bowlers did a good job in restricting Scotland to 27 for 2 by the end of the Powerplay. But once opener George Munsey (24 off 19 balls) fell in the sixth over, Scotland’s innings crumbled and they lost their remaining wickets for only 58. Michael Leask was the second-highest scorer with 21 off 12 balls. For India, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja picked three wickets each while Jasprit Bumrah got two and Ravichandran Ashwin claimed one scalp.
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Suryakumar Yada hit a six to finish off the game and he was accompanied by Kohli who remained not out on two off two.
Scotland’s opening bowlers Mark Watt, a spinner, and Brad Wheal, a pacer, took a wicket each.
India play Namibia in their final group game in Dubai on Monday (8).
