New Delhi: Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja starred with the ball before KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma firing knocks helped India defeat Scotland by eight wickets in the Group 2 match of Super 12 stage here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
India needed to chase 86 runs in 7.1 overs to better their net-run rate from Afghanistan but the Kohli-led side did the needful in 6.3 overs. Chasing 86, India got off to a firing start as the openers registered the fastest team fifty of the ongoing tournament.
With this win, India moved to the third spot with four points in Group 2. Thumping win over Afghanistan took team India’s net run rate from -1.609 to +0.073 and a massive victory over Scotland has boosted their NRR, taking it to +1.619.
What’s the net run rate scenario?
After the disappointing defeat against New Zealand in the second game team India’s NRR went to -1.609. However, after 2 back-to-back wins by massive margins India’s net run rate is now at +1.619, the highest amongst all the Group 2 teams.
Afghanistan and New Zealand are not too far off, at +1.481 and +1.277 respectively.
n a post-match presentation, Virat Kohli said, “We spoke about 100-120 max but we restricted them to a total that allowed us to leapfrog everyone else. We spoke about finishing in the 8-10 over bracket.”
Despite the massive NRR boost, India’s semi-final hopes are pinned on the result of the New Zealand-Afghanistan game. Second, in the group with six points, New Zealand have their fate in their own hands.
What do India need to do from here?
All of India’s hopes are currently pinned on Afghanistan. If Afghanistan win against New Zealand, India themselves will have to beat Namibia by a margin that keeps their net run rate above Afghanistan.
On the net run rate front, it is an advantage for team India at the moment, who have the best net run rate in Group 2.
