India made the most of their dead-rubber clash against the Netherlands in the 2023 World Cup, with four part-time bowlers being used as the side tested their bowling options ahead of the semi-final.
Hardik Pandya’s injury affected the balance of the Indian eleven as Rohit Sharma opted to field only five front bowlers rather than opting for another all-rounder. So far, the absence of a sixth bowler has not affected India, but the team will look to explore options ahead of the semi-final against New Zealand, with four part-time players sent over against Netherlands on Sunday. It was sent.
After setting the Dutch target at 411, India looked to give the ball a try and gave ‘off-foot in-swing threat’ Virat Kohli a full over in an ODI for the first time since 2017. He conceded seven runs in his first over and returned to take a wicket for the first time in nine years, dismissing Dutch captain Scott Edwards with a wide ball to the leg side. Kohli, who was encouraged by fans to bowl more in the tournament, hit more overs and he finished with 1-13.
The surprises didn’t stop there, soon after, Shubman Gill was called up to bowl in an ODI for the first time. The opener showed a decent turn with flying throws of around 80-85km/h and although he didn’t take any wickets, he impressed on the line and conceded 11 runs.
Suriyakumar Yadav is also bowling for the first time in international cricket, but the Mumbai batsman has plenty of bowling experience as he has previously picked up 36 wickets in domestic cricket. In the 35th over Teja he was hit by Nida Manul for the second time in a row and in the 2nd over he was 0-17.
Eight bowlers have already been tested and chants have started urging Rohit Sharma to bowl, but the Indian captain, who last bowled in an ODI in 2016, was the first Indian captain to bowl at the time, along with Mohammed Shami and It seemed like he had no intention of giving in to the wishes of his fans like Jasprit. Bumrah also joined the attack. However, he took the ball in the 48th over as India needed a wicket for a win. After being hit for a six by Nidamanul, Rohit threw the ball to the batsman, which crossed the line, but failed to show the expected power and ended up being easily caught by Shami.
This was Rohit’s first ODI wicket since 2012 and the first time he and Kohli had taken wickets in the same match. India ultimately tried nine of his bowlers in the match, only his fourth time fielding so many bowlers in an ODI and the first since 2009 against Australia.
The fourth time India are using nine bowlers in an ODI.
This is also the joint world record.
– Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) 12. November 2023
This is the third time a team has fielded nine bowlers in a World Cup innings, after England (vs. Sri Lanka, 1987) and New Zealand (vs. Pakistan, 2023).
After the match, head coach Rahul Dravid reviewed his game plan. He said, “[Part-time workers] may not be necessary, but they can be utilized, and this was a match to test that.”
India will play New Zealand in the semi-finals at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
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