The Netherlands leave ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with their heads held high
Published at 12 November, 2023The Dutch men have lost their last World Cup match against hosts India. India won the toss, batted first and made a whopping 410 runs. The Dutch made 250 runs in return. A big loss, but still the Netherlands can leave the tournament with their heads held high with historic wins over South Africa and Bangladesh.
To the delight of the 40,000 spectators in Bangalore, Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat. Aryan Dutt had so far performed the task of bowling offspin in the first Powerplay with admirable accuracy. Although he bowled neatly again, he was immediately attacked by the opening pair, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. India raced to 91/0 in the first ten overs.
Shortly after Gill reached his half century, Teja Nidamanuru celebrated the first Dutch success off Paul van Meekeren’s bowling with a brilliant catch on the deep fine leg boundary.
In this phase, the Dutch bowlers caused the run rate to drop considerably, from almost ten to seven per over. Rohit Sharma hadn't exerted himself excessively for his 50, but became a bit nonchalant. Bas de Leede struck, helped by the safe hands of Wesley Barresi at deep mid wicket (129/2).
Virat Kohli seemed to be working his way up to another well-built big innings with characteristic determination, but had not reckoned with a faster, skiddy delivery from Van der Merwe. With India seemingly cruising at 200/2, Van der Merwe Kohli cleaned for 'only' 51.
However, India's batting line-up is a many-headed monster. With one top batsman out, the next man in is not a lesser player. Shreyas Iyer and K.L. Rahul proved this with flawless innings of 128 not out and 102 and a partnership of 208 runs for the fourth wicket in just 21 overs.
India touched the 300 mark in the 42nd over. A lot depended on the last Powerplay. Towards the end of the innings the Indians opened their shoulders. The penultimate over went for 25. India made 410/4. Van der Merwe took 1-53 in ten overs, De Leede 2-82.
Netherlands innings
Among the ten most economical bowlers in the tournament are six Indians, so the Netherlands must have been aware of the magnitude of the task of making 411 runs. But if there was any shyness at all, Max O'Dowd and Colin Ackermann threw it off with some beautiful boundaries; O'Dowd with a six over square leg and Ackermann with cover drives and straight drives straight from the coaching manual.
Not surprisingly, spinner Kuldeep Yadav came into the attack immediately after the first Powerplay. He had the superbly batting Ackermann (35) LBW and had also deserved O'Dowd's wicket, but Siraj dropped the dolly. The drop was not expensive, however, as fellow spinner Jadeja cleaned O'Dowd (30) with his very first ball (72/3).
Part-timer Virat Kohli claimed the wicket of Dutch captain Scott Edwards (17). Top bowler Bumrah (2-33) also came back and dismissed Bas de Leede with an unplayable yorker (144/5).
Although it was clear by now that the best efforts of the Netherlands would not lead to a Dutch victory, there was still room for some excellent performances. Sybrand Engelbrecht fell for a well-made 45 and top scorer Teja Nidamanuru (54) temporarily silenced the stadium with six (!) sixes over the top. Six of nine (!) Indian bowlers that were used divided the Dutch wickets between them.
The Dutch can leave the tournament with their heads held high. In terms of fitness, ground fielding and tactical intelligence, 'our' men were not inferior to greater teams.
In June 2024, the team will participate in yet another World Cup. The short T20 variant (120 instead of 300 balls per team) will then be played in the United States and the West Indies.
Photo credit: ICC/Getty
