KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer smash centuries as India crush Netherlands at World Cup

12.11.2023 - 20:19 thenationalnews.com

KL Rahul smashed the fastest century by an Indian at a World Cup and Shreyas Iyer also hit a brilliant hundred as the hosts cruised to a 160-run victory over the Netherlands in Bangalore on Sunday.

The victory sets India up perfectly for their semi-final showdown against New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday and maintains their 100 per cent win record – played nine, won nine.

On a good batting surface at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, India's top three of Rohit Sharma (61), Shubman Gill (51) and Virat Kohli (51) all reached their half-centuries before Iyer (128 not out), compiling his fourth ODI hundred, and Rahul (102 off 64) blasted India to 410-4 in their 50 overs.

Faced with record World Cup chase for victory, bottom-of-the-table Netherlands made a solid start thanks to Max O'Dowd (30), Colin Ackermann (35), Sybrand Engelbrecht (45) and Teja Nidamanuru (54) but were never really in the hunt and were rolled over for 250 in 47.5 overs.

India Cricket record cricket world cup 2023 cup as Rohit Sharma Netherlands New Zealand India

Excess hype often leads to broken hearts and hence it is always necessary to strike a balance, legendary Kapil Dev said on Tuesday in context of India's six-wicket defeat at the hands of Australia in the World Cup final earlier this month. The 1983 World Cup winning skipper said that the Indian fans should refrain from creating too much pressure and treat cricket just as another sport.

"What We Didn't Understand...": 'Disappointed' Kapil Dev's Message To India After Cricket World Cup Loss

The disappointment of Indian cricket team's loss in the Cricket World Cup final still hurts the fans. More so, because the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team was firing on all cylinders till the semi-finals. It had the best batter in the tournament in Virat Kohli, it also had the best bowler in the tournament in Mohammed Shami. Yet, when it mattered the most, Australia trumped India in the Cricket World Cup final on November 19 to break a billion hearts.

Pics: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Dejected As India Suffer Bitter World Cup Final Defeat

The Indian cricket team's dream of winning the Cricket World Cup 2023 for the third time in its history ended on a sour note, as Australia secured a comfortable victory in the final, lifting the coveted trophy for the 6th time in their history. India, who were unbeaten in the tournament until the final, couldn't produce the same magic in the summit clash, leaving the players on the field shattered and heartbroken. Mohammed Siraj couldn't control his tears as Australia hit the winning runs while the likes of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and others were dejected.

"Just One Bad Day...": Sachin Tendulkar's Message For Team India After Cricket World Cup 2023 Heartbreak

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar congratulated the Australian team for clinching their record sixth ODI World Cup trophy and shared a heartwarming message for the Indian team. India came close yet ended up being too far from clinching the much-awaited Cricket World Cup trophy. Australia produced their best cricket in the entire tournament at the Narendra Modi Stadium leaving the Indian fans heartbroken. Sachin admitted that the Baggy Greens played better cricket and praised the Men in Blue for giving their all throughout the tournament. "Congratulations to Australia on their sixth World Cup win. On the most important day of the biggest stage, they played better cricket. Hard luck Team India, just one bad day in an otherwise sterling tournament can be heartbreaking. I can imagine the agony of the players, fans and well-wishers and what they must be going through. Losses are a part of the sport but let us remember that this unit gave their all for us throughout the tournament," Sachin wrote on X.

Pics: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Dejected As India Suffer Bitter World Cup Final Defeat

'Selfless' Rohit Sharma Wins Hearts Despite India's Bitter World Cup Final Defeat To Australia

India captain Rohit Sharma got the team off to another quick start with his brilliant performance at the top of the batting order. Rohit struck a brilliant 31-ball 47 in the World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, setting the platform for the middle-order before being dismsised by Glenn Maxwell. Though Rohit didn't go on to convert his start into a big score, failing to even record a half-century, he did win the hearts of fans and some former cricketers with his pyrotechniques, albeit in a losing cause.