Team India will face the Netherlands in match number 45 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, November 12. The match, which will be a day-night encounter, will mark the culmination of the league stage of the World Cup. The match’s result will not impact the line-up for the semi-finals as the same has already been decided. India will face New Zealand in the first semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15, while South Africa will face Australia in the second semi-final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16.
India have been supremely dominant in the World Cup, having won eight out of eight matches. They are on top of the points table and will remain there irrespective of what happens in the game against the Netherlands. In their last clash a week back, the Men in Blue hammered South Africa by 243 runs. As for the Dutch, they are last in the points with two wins from eight matches and a poor net run rate. In their previous match, they got hammered by England by 160 runs. Here are the player battles for the India vs Netherlands 2023 World Cup match.
Rohit Sharma vs Logan van Beek
It has been said repeatedly that Rohit Sharma’s blazing starts have made a massive difference to India’s fortunes in the 2023 World Cup. He might not have as many big scores as some of the other leading run-getters, but it would be hard to argue against the kind of impact his knocks have made. Even head coach Rahul Dravid agreed about the same. In eight innings, he has slammed 442 runs at an average of 55.25 and an excellent strike rate of 122.78. Rohit’s attacking batting at the start allows the later batters to play with much more freedom. He will want to continue his success.
Netherlands pacer Logan van Beek is a decent bowler who can claim key wickets. He has also done the same for the Dutch in the ongoing World Cup. In seven innings, he has picked up 12 wickets at an average of 30.75, with a best of 4/74 against Australia. Van Beek has gone for a few runs in several matches but has proved to be a hard trier. Rohit will look to attack him for sure. Will he have an answer?
Max O’Dowd vs Jasprit Bumrah
There were high hopes from the Netherlands’ opening batter, Max O’Dowd, heading into the 2023 World Cup. The cricket world has witnessed the kind of talent he possesses. Unfortunately, things have just not fallen in place for the Dutch batter in the ongoing World Cup. In eight innings, he has only managed 108 runs at a paltry average of 13.50 and a disappointing strike rate of 68.35. O’Dowd looked good during his 42 against Afghanistan but gave it away with a needless run-out. Can he sign off from the World Cup on a high?
Team India lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been exceptional for the hosts. In eight innings, he has claimed 15 wickets at an average of 15.53 and a superb economy rate of 3.65. The fact that Bumrah has managed to pick up as many scalps despite most batters not taking him on is a testament to his talent and skills – both physical and mental. Bumrah would like to carry on bowling with the same rhythm. O’Dowd will have a massive challenge to survive against him.
Virat Kohli vs Roelof van der Merwe
Virat Kohli consistently personified for Team India in the 2023 World Cup. In eight matches, he has compiled 543 runs at an average of 108.60 and a strike rate of 88.29, with two hundred and four fifties. The 35-year-old has complemented Rohit brilliantly in India’s batting order. While the Indian captain has taken on the role of aggressor, Kohli has been the anchor around which the innings has been built. Nothing needs to change as India approach the playoffs.
Veteran all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe loves taking on challenges, even though the result might not always be in his favor. Bowling to Kohli, that too, given his current form, would be a massive task for sure, but expect Van der Merwe to give it his all. In seven innings, he has only managed five wickets at an average of 51.60. The seasoned cricketer will be keen to impress in the big battle against Kohli. If he manages to eke out his scalp, we will definitely see a massive celebration.
Sybrand Engelbrecht vs Mohammed Shami
Sybrand Engelbrecht has done a decent job for the Netherlands in the middle-order. He has come in and steadied the innings after the early loss of wickets. The defiant batter has notched up 255 runs in seven innings at an average of 36.42, with two half-centuries. He scored 70 against Sri Lanka and contributed 58 against Afghanistan.
Mohammed Shami has been absolutely sensational for India, coming in as the one-change bowler. In just four innings, he has claimed 16 wickets at a spectacular average of 7 and an economy rate of 4.30, with a best of 5/18. Shami has two five-fors and one four-wicket haul and has been nearly unplayable in some of his spells. He will challenge Engelbrecht’s resistance for sure.
Suryakumar Yadav vs Paul van Meekeren
Suryakumar Yadav has played a couple of handy knocks for India lower down the order. He contributed a significant 49 against England and followed it up with a quick 22 against South Africa. If he gets a chance, he will look to play another breezy knock against the Netherlands.
Paul van Meekeren has done a good job for the Dutch with the ball. In eight matches, he has claimed 11 wickets at an average of 32.45 and an economy rate of 5.54. He gets some key scalps for the team in most games with his smart bowling. Can he get rid of SKY as well?