Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul’s centuries propel India to ninth consecutive World Cup win, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

IND 410/4 (50)

NED 250 (47.5)

India won by 160 runs

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Shreyas Iyer

What can be said about India? The entire league stage has been a walk in the park for them – 9 games, 9 wins, 9 commanding performances. Even on Diwali day, the boys in blue continued to gift the nation victories since the beginning of the World Cup. It’s been like a dream so far, but New Zealand on Wednesday aims to turn that dream into a potential nightmare.

With the group stages concluding, the Netherlands finds themselves at the bottom of the table, but that doesn’t narrate the entirety of their story. Against all odds, with limited practice and recruiting net bowlers from the Indian domestic circuit, nobody expected them to make much of an impact. However, these resilient fighters defied expectations by defeating South Africa and Bangladesh. At one point, they even harbored dreams of reaching the semifinals. The Dutch team can return home with pride, reminiscent of a country that has revered sports icons like Arjen Robben and Virgil van Dijk, now potentially adding Scott Edwards or Bas de Leede to that list in the years to come.

Rohit Sharma shared his perspective on the tournament, emphasizing the team’s approach of taking it one game at a time. Acknowledging the challenges of adapting to different venues, he praised the team’s clinical performance in the nine games played. Sharma highlighted the positive sign of different players stepping up at crucial moments, contributing to the team’s success. He emphasized the importance of adapting to different opponents and conditions, maintaining a focus on the task at hand. Reflecting on the lively dressing room environment, he noted the significance of achieving positive results.

Scott Edwards, on the other hand, evaluated his team’s performance, acknowledging that they played two good games but faced challenges in converting opportunities in other matches. He expressed confidence in the team’s style of play but recognized the tough nature of the tournament. Edwards commended the opposition’s batting class, noting their ability to handle pressure. Recognizing the youth in their squad, he emphasized the importance of growth for the team and identified areas for improvement before the upcoming T20 tournament. Edwards acknowledged the difficulty in gauging their standing compared to their initial expectations and emphasized the learning process for the young side.

Most ODI sixes by a team in a Calendar year:
215 – India (2023)
209 – West Indies (2019)
203 – South Africa (2023)
179 – New Zealand (2015)
165 – Australia in (2023)

Most bowlers used in an ODI World Cup innings:
9 – England vs Sri Lanka, Peshawar, 1987
9 – New Zealand vs Pakistan, Christchurch, 1992
9 – India vs Netherlands, Bengaluru, 2023*

Most wickets by an Indian spinner in a single WC edition:
16 – Ravindra Jadeja (2023)*
15 – Anil Kumble (1996)
15 – Yuvraj Singh (2011)
14 – Kuldeep Yadav (2023)
14 – Maninder Singh (1987)

Most sixes by Netherlands in an ODI innings:
10 vs AFG, Sharjah, 2022
9 vs OMAN, Harare, 2023
9 vs IND, Bengaluru, today*

Most consecutive wins in a single WC edition:
11 – Australia in 2003 
11 – Australia in 2007 
9 – India in 2023*
8 – India in 2003 
8 – New Zealand in 2015

Shreyas Iyer : Player of the Match

Shreyas Iyer, who was awarded the Player of the Match, shared his thoughts on the game. Reflecting on his performance, he expressed a sense of déjà vu, recalling a similar situation against Australia where he regretfully threw his wicket away. However, this time around, he was determined not to make the same mistake and aimed to remain not out.

Addressing the physical challenges, Iyer mentioned taking pills for cramps, underscoring the lengths he went to contribute to the team’s success. He credited his recent good form for boosting his confidence in this innings.

ALSO READ: KL Rahul breaks Rohit’s WC record with insane 62-ball century; Shreyas Iyer ends wait for ton in spectacular show vs NED

Describing the playing conditions, Iyer characterized the wicket as tacky and two-paced. Despite the challenges, he focused on capitalizing on the initial momentum, successfully executing his game plan.

Speaking about his batting technique, Iyer highlighted his extensive work on the straight shot, emphasizing the importance of keeping the head straight and the follow-through of the bat, particularly when attempting to play a slog shot. His insights provided a glimpse into the strategic and physical aspects of his performance during the match.

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