T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma lauds India's clinical win over Netherlands

Virat Kohli scores another fifty to set up 56-run victory in Sydney on Thursday

India's Virat Kohli scored his second successive fifty of the T20 World Cup, against the Netherlands in Sydney on Thursday, October 27, 2022. AP

Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 62 to set up India's win over Netherlands in the T20 World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Getty

Virat Kohli, left, and Suryakumar Yadav guided India to 179 in Sydney. AP

Suryakumar Yadav scored a quick fifty in Sydney on Thursday. Getty

India captain Rohit Sharma hits a six during his fifty against the Netherlands in Sydney. AP

India's Axar Patel, centre, is congratulated by teammates after bowling Netherlands' Max O'Dowd. AP

Virat Kohli celebrates with Deepak Hooda after catching Tim Pringle. Getty

India's Arshdeep Singh, left, appeals for lbw against Netherlands' Fred Klaassen. AP

Netherlands' Scott Edwards is hit by a bouncer. AP

Vikram Singh of the Netherlands is bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Getty

Rohit Sharma said he was satisfied with the way his side followed up their emotional opening night win over Pakistan with a “clinical” win over the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup.

The 56-run win over the Dutch in Sydney contrasted entirely with what had gone before four nights earlier, in the sensational, last-ball victory against their neighbours.

India were hardly troubled as they racked up 179-2 from their 20 overs. Virat Kohli, who is yet to be dismissed in the competition, finished not out on 62.

He shared an alliance worth 85 with Suryakumar Yadav, who was not out on 51 at the end of the innings.

The Netherlands were restricted to 123-9 in reply, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar sending down two maidens, as he returned figures of 2-9 from three overs.

“Luckily for us we had a few days to get over that win [against Pakistan] because it was a special win considering what it holds,” said Sharma, who himself made 53 from 39 balls.

“It was the first game of the tournament. For us, as soon as the game was over we came back to Sydney and we regrouped.

“We said, ‘that was a great win for us, but we have to move on now and think about what we have to do in the games which are coming up for us.’

“The focus shifted to this game. We wanted to come out here and get those two crucial points, and I thought we were quite clinical.”

Yadav was named player of the match for his 21-ball innings, which included seven fours and a six.

“I was just trying to express myself when I went into bat,” Yadav said.

“The situation was very simple when I went in. I just had to up the tempo and express myself.”

Spinners Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin and seamer Arshdeep Singh picked up two wickets each.