T20 WC 2021: IND vs SCO Review – India earn a major NRR boost against Scotland

India completely demolished Scotland in their Super 12 game at the Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. In the match played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on November 5, India defeated Scotland by eight wickets, chasing down a low score in just 6.3 overs. This was India’s second win and keeps their hopes alive for further qualification.

Earlier in the evening, India won the toss and elected to field first. It was a collective bowling performance where everyone did their bit in order to restrict the Scottish batting. Jasprit Bumrah got two wickets while both Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammad Shami picked up three wickets each. Ravichandran Ashwin also picked up one wicket.

For Scotland, George Munsey scored 24 runs while Michael Leask made 21 runs. They were eventually bowled out for 85 runs. India needed to get past Afghanistan and New Zealand’s net run rate. To do that, they needed to chase the score in 7.1 overs. The Indian openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma came out firing putting on a 70 run partnership in five overs. Rahul scored 50 runs from 19 balls while Rohit made 30 runs from 16 balls. They were both dismissed but by then the game was over.

Top performers:

Ravindra Jadeja: His usual job in white-ball cricket is to contain the batters, but today he was just looking for wickets. His lines were attacking and he got the right rewards. He gave only 15 runs in his four overs and also picked up the wickets of Matthew Cross, Richie Berrington and Michael Leask. He got the player of the match award.

KL Rahul:

India needed to get to the total as quickly as possible and Rahul was on fire from the very get-go. He ensured India got the target done and also uplifted their net run rate. His knock had six fours and three sixes as the Scottish bowlers were found looking for some breathing in the middle.

Records/Achievements:

• Jasprit Bumrah now has the most wickets (64) by an Indian bowler in T20Is, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal’s tally of 63 wickets.
• Today’s 3 for 15 is Ravindra Jadeja’s best figures in T20Is.
• Scotland’s 85 is the second-lowest total scored against India in T20Is. England’s 80 in 2012 remains the lowest.

Way ahead:

Scotland will now face Pakistan on November 7 while India will take on Namibia on November 8.