India is taking Bangladesh to Champions Trophy

The semi-finals are confirmed. The first semi-final against New Zealand is two days apart. It was thought that India might rest key players today against Netherlands. But today the host team came with a full strength team.

Bangladesh is the most happy because if India wins today, the 2025 Champions Trophy will be confirmed for Bangladesh. Batting first against the Netherlands, India scored 410 runs for 4 wickets.

If they want to beat Bangladesh and play the Champions Trophy, the Netherlands will have to set a run chase record in the World Cup.

Against the Netherlands, there is no reason to rest anyone, India are not willing to lose their rhythm before the semi-finals. That purpose is successful. Today, India’s first five batsmen scored at least 50 runs. There are only four instances of five batsmen scoring at least fifty in an innings in ODIs. Of these, the first five have scored three fifties. India is involved in all three incidents. However, Australia did it twice before against India.

After winning the toss, Rohit Sharma explained what he wants to do with batting from the very first ball. Four in the first ball of the innings, again in the third ball. Four again on the first ball of the third over.

Rohit started but after a while Subman Gill understood the button. India scored fifty in 6 overs. 91 runs came in 10 overs. 30-ball 3 fours and 4 sixes for Giller’s fifty. India scored a hundred in the 12th over.

Gill (51) was out for his fifty, but the run rate did not slow down. After a while Rohit Sharma (61) also returned. After Kohli and Iyer’s third wicket stand of 71, Kohli (51) departs. Kohli’s 53-ball 50 is the slowest fifty today.

If the Netherlands felt any relief at Kohli’s return, it disappeared shortly after. Shreyas Iyer and Lokesh Rahul wanted to show their strength before the semi-final. 208 runs came from the pair of 128 balls.

Iyer reached the century in 84 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes. But he also pales to Rahul. Rahul’s century in just 62 balls with 11 fours and 4 sixes. It took only 16 balls for India to reach 350 to 400 from these two. Rahul, who reached the century with two sixes in the last over, was dismissed for 102 runs while hitting the fifth six. At the other end, Iyer was unbeaten on 128 runs.