Team India showcased its dominance in a resounding Diwali triumph, securing an emphatic 160-run victory over the Netherlands in the World Cup 2023. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul stole the spotlight with scintillating centuries, propelling India to an imposing total of 410. The relentless Indian bowlers then sealed the deal, capping off an unbeaten streak of nine consecutive wins in the league stage.
Diwali Delight in Bengaluru
On the festive occasion of Diwali, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium witnessed a dazzling display of cricket as the Indian team delivered a power-packed performance. The stands reverberated with cheers as the batsmen set the stage ablaze before the bowlers executed a clinical performance on the batting-friendly pitch. India’s commanding victory not only marked the end of the league stage but also established them as the first team to go unbeaten in the league of a World Cup featuring a single round-robin format. With this triumph, Rohit Sharma’s men set the tone for the upcoming semi-final clash against New Zealand in Mumbai.
Batting Brilliance
Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 128 and KL Rahul’s swift 62-ball hundred propelled India to their second-highest World Cup total of 410. The batting lineup created history by having all top 5 batters score at least a fifty, a first in World Cup tournaments. Winning the toss and opting to bat, India showcased aggression and capitalized on the favorable conditions.
Bowling Excellence
Facing a spirited Netherlands side, India encountered a challenging bowling phase. However, the bowlers rose to the occasion as Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets each, while Jasprit Bumrah contributed with a double scalp. Virat Kohli, showcasing his all-round skills, not only hit 51 but also secured his first World Cup wicket by dismissing Netherlands’ captain Scott Edwards.
Netherlands’ Fight
Despite losing early wickets, the Netherlands displayed resilience, with Max O’Dowd and Colin Ackermann adding a commendable 61 runs for the 2nd wicket. However, India’s bowlers, spearheaded by Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, kept chipping away at the opposition. The Netherlands posted a respectable total of 250, showcasing a spirited fight against the formidable Indian attack.
Record-Breaking Show
Rohit Sharma, leading from the front, contributed a quickfire 61 and set the record for the most sixes by a captain in World Cups. Shreyas Iyer’s sublime century and KL Rahul’s rapid-fire ton delighted the Bengaluru crowd. Iyer’s knock was particularly noteworthy as he became India’s first No. 4 batter since Yuvraj Singh in 2011 to score a World Cup hundred.
Perfect All-Round Show
With a record-breaking batting display and a clinical bowling performance, India exhibited a perfect all-round show ahead of the challenging semi-final against New Zealand. The win secured India’s spot as the table-toppers and instilled confidence as they headed into the crucial knockout stage of the World Cup 2023.
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Points |
| India(Q) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 16 |
| South Africa(Q) | 8 | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Australia(Q) | 8 | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| New Zealand | 9 | 5 | 4 | 10 |
| Pakistan | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Afghanistan | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| England(E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Bangladesh(E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Sri Lanka(E) | 9 | 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Netherlands(E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
(Q = Qualified, E = Eliminated)