NEW DELHI: In a commanding performance, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul showcased their batting prowess by scoring magnificent centuries for India in their final World Cup league match against the Netherlands in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Iyer, with an unbeaten 128 off 94 balls, achieved his career-best ODI century. Meanwhile, Rahul's explosive innings of 102 off 64 balls marked the fastest World Cup hundred by an Indian, with the pair combining for a formidable 208-run partnership off just 128 balls.
India, opting to bat, posted an imposing total of 410 for four. The top order also contributed significantly, with Rohit Sharma scoring 61, Virat Kohli hitting 51, and Shubman Gill adding a stylish 51 to the scoreboard.
The Dutch bowlers faced a daunting task, with Bas de Leede (2/82), Paul van Meekeren (1/90), and Roelof van der Merwe (1/53) sharing the wickets in an attempt to curb India's formidable batting display.
On hitting sixes towards the end of the innings, Rahul said it becomes difficult at the back end as the ball gets softer.
"Getting that confidence to hit sixes towards the end was important. It's not rocket science, got to go hard in the last 10 overs. Tried to get as many runs as possible, that was the plan, the ball gets softer, so hitting sixes at the back end becomes difficult," Rahul said at the mid-innings break.
"Not gotten a lot of time (in the middle) in the last two games, so it was nice to get some time today. Batting at 5, it's important to get that confidence, it was a good knock.
"It's just not this game, everyone has a clear game plan, we have been executing it (our plans) pretty well. Need to win this game and look forward to the semis," Rahul added.
"It (keeping) gets difficult sometimes, but I enjoy being involved in the game. The bowlers have challenged me during DRS calls, but they don't give me enough credit (on DRS calls)," Rahul concluded.
