Sydney: Team India followed up a thrilling and dramatic last-ball win over Pakistan in their T20 World Cup opener with a resounding 56-run triumph over qualifiers The Netherlands here on Thursday.
The result propelled the Indians to the top of Super 12s Group 2, with 4 points from 2 matches.
South Africa, who hammered Bangladesh by 104 runs earlier in the day, are in second place in Group 2 with 3 points.
India, choosing to bat first after Rohit Sharma won the toss, lost KL Rahul cheaply for the second straight game.
Rohit and Virat Kohli took some time to get into the groove before opening out with a flurry of classy strokes. Rohit made 53 off 39 balls, with 4 fours and 3 sixes, while Kohli hit another unbeaten half-century. The former captain, who took India over the line against Pakistan with a brilliant knock at Melbourne four days ago, struck 3 fours and 2 sixes in his 62 not out off 44 deliveries.
But it was Suryakumar Yadav who stole Rohit and Kohli’s thunder with a typically quickfire 51 not out off just 25 balls. His knock was embellished by some incredible shots which fetched him 7 boundaries and 1 six.
A target of 180 was a bridge too far for the Dutch against an all-round bowling effort from India.
Five of the six bowlers used by Rohit got among the wickets, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/9) and Axar Patel (2/18) being the most impressive. Ravichandran Ashwin and Arshdeep Singh also bagged 2 apiece, and Mohammad Shami scalped one.
India next face red-hot South Africa at the pacy Perth Stadium on October 30.
Brief scores: India 179/2 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 62*, Rohit Sharma 53, Suryakumar Yadav 51*). The Netherlands 123/9 in 20 overs (Tim Pringle 20; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/9, Axar Patel 2/18, R Ashwin 2/21, Arshdeep Singh 2/37).
Result: India won by 56 runs.
India’s next match: Vs South Africa on Oct 30 (Perth) — 4.30 pm.
