Player of the Match
Player of the Match

8.33pm Right, that is all from our coverage tonight. Thanks for joining us and we will see you tomorrow for the final day of Group 1. On behalf of Karthik and Raghav, this is goodbye.

Kohli: A dominating performance. It was something we were striving to again. I don't want to say too much about today because we know how we can play. These little things in T20 cricket (toss, conditions) matter and we're glad to be back in our mojo. 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. You don't want to go in with six-and-a-half or a seven-and-half run mark because then you're doing too much. We gave that bracket and allowed them to get that momentum. If you look at our practice games as well, the guys have been batting like that. Two overs of cricket like that and the momentum of the tournament could have been completely different. We basically broke it down to the fact that we couldn't get away at all in those two games, two overs could have made the difference. I'm just pleased everyone is getting into their own. [Birthday celebration] I'm over that phase now. My wife and daughter are here and that celebration is enough, the family being here is a blessing in itself.

Coetzer: A tough day in the office, we were outclassed in every department. But the only way we'll improve is going through games like that and seeing it head on. Mark's been execellent, he's got an array of skills. Great to see him learning from other spinners here as well and that's why these tournaments are important.

Jadeja: Enjoyed bowling on this pitch, the odd ball was turning. The first wicket was the special one - whenever you get a batter out on a turning ball, it's special. We just looked to play a good brand of cricket. We were just looking to play our best game. If we play like this, nobody can beat us. In T20s, we have to play like this, that is for sure.

Ravindra Jadeja is the Player of the Match.


Saad: "Doesnt this mean Afg is also almost out even if they beat NZ? Provided India beats Namibia with a simillar margin (Afg vs NZ)" --- Yeah, Afghanistan need a big win margin to stay in contention.

Sook: "While it's always fun to see KL and Rohit tonk 4s and 6s, this seems like practice-match fun. The difference between good teams and champion teams is playing 'freely' when there is pressure"

Andy C: "Arguably India would have been better taking a more sedate approach today (Dhoni would have spotted the dilemma): having smashed SCOT and got their NRR above AFG's they've now heaped pressure on AFG who'll know that they have to win big against NZ to have any chance of qualifying...which be the thing which causes them to lose to NZ, eliminating IND with them."

Pugal: "Fell sorry for Scotland. Especially the way Scotland started this tournament against Bangladesh. Expected they will do some upset. "

Vinay: "NZ need a win to knock out India.. Considering recent record they are on course to do it. Still hoping for the best as an Indian Fan.."

Rudra Varma: "From the worst run rate in the group to the best run rate in the group just in 2 matches. Great flexing albeit against relatively weaker sides. If only they had done half of this in 1 of the 2 earlier big matches..."


8.17pm India now in third place. This performance takes their net run rate beyond both New Zealand's and Afghanistan's. Assuming they will beat Namibia, and try to do it with the same kind of intensity as they have done tonight, India's chances depend entirely on Afghanistan beating New Zealand. And New Zealand's fate is in their hands. Beat Afghanistan and all calculations fly out the window.

6.3
6
Greaves to Yadav, SIX, launched over the bowler and that is that. This is full and at middle stump, he gets the front leg out of the way and offers the full face as he lofts this on the half-volley
6.2
0
Greaves to Yadav, no run, short of a length and skidding on outside off, rising as well, to beat his cut

Anand Venugopal: "Kind of feel sorry for Scotland. India is flexing its muscles in the wrong match!"

6.1
1
Greaves to Kohli, 1 run, short and at leg stump, looks to muscle this pull, mistimes it off the inside half to deep square

END OF OVER:
6 | 12 Runs 1 Wkt | IND: 82/2 (4 runs required from 14 overs, RR: 13.66, RRR: 0.28)

  • Virat Kohli1 (1b)
  • Mark Watt2-0-20-1
  • Brad Wheal2-0-32-1
5.6
W
Watt to Rahul, OUT, he's found long-on! This looked like it had gone further than it did. Tossed up again and gets a lot of dip on this. At leg stump. Rahul stretches his arms and looks to finish the game by launching this over the fielder. It comes off the inside part of the toe end and is taken easily

KL Rahul c MacLeod b Watt 50 (34m 19b 6x4 3x6) SR: 263.15

Krish : "KL is such a talent. Wat a player!! "

5.5
1
Watt to Kohli, 1 run, good length and at off stump, gets forward and flicks to mid-on's right
5.4
1
Watt to Rahul, 1 run, full at middle stump, jammed down towards long-on and that is fifty for Rahul
5.3
6
Watt to Rahul, SIX, bowled from about two yards behind the popping crease but to no avail. This is full and at middle stump, gets down on one knee and swings this over the long leg boundary with a sweep
5.2
0
Watt to Rahul, no run, full and just outside off, drilled firmly to mid-off's right
5.1
4
Watt to Rahul, FOUR, full toss and drifting away outside off, reaches out and drives this wide of mid-off

END OF OVER:
5 | 17 Runs 1 Wkt | IND: 70/1 (16 runs required from 15 overs, RR: 14.00, RRR: 1.06)

  • KL Rahul39 (14b)
  • Brad Wheal2-0-32-1
  • Safyaan Sharif1-0-14-0

With that, it's back to Varun.

4.6
W
Wheal to Sharma, OUT, big appeal, and it's given! That came out of nowhere! Yorker homing in towards the stumps, and Rohit, already deep in his crease with his back foot, probably looking for something he can hit over the leg side, is caught unawares, and is struck on the full on the right foot. Right in front of off stump. Rohit doesn't bother reviewing, it just looked too plumb

RG Sharma lbw b Wheal 30 (29m 16b 5x4 1x6) SR: 187.50

4.5
4
Wheal to Sharma, FOUR, short outside off, doesn't quite get hold of the pull, but mid-on is inside the circle. Clears him comfortably, and the ball runs away for four more
4.4
1
Wheal to Rahul, 1 run, back of a length, angling into off stump, clipped to deep midwicket
4.3
6
Wheal to Rahul, SIX, short ball, gets up to just over chest height around off stump. Has to fetch the pull from outside the line of his body, and he hits it in the air, and the man at deep square leg is a few yards in. Leaps up and reaches desperately over his head with his left arm, but he can't quite pluck it out of the air
4.2
4
Wheal to Rahul, FOUR, half-volley outside off stump, and Rahul isn't going to miss out. Drives, and finds the gap to the left of the diving cover fielder
4.1
2
Wheal to Rahul, 2 runs, shortish, angling in to finish close to off stump. Skiddy bounce, and Rahul is cramped on the pull. Ends up hitting the high part of his bat but clearing the circle, to the left of mid-on. Good chase back from Coetzer to stop it from running away for four

Scotland stick with seam. Here's Wheal.

India 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st70RG SharmaKL Rahul
2nd12V KohliKL Rahul
3rd7V KohliSA Yadav