India National Cricket Team vs Netherlands National Cricket Team: India opener Abhishek Sharma’s difficult run in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup continued on Wednesday as he was dismissed for his third straight duck in the group stage. The left-hander was bowled by Netherlands off-spinner Aryan Dutt in the opening over of India’s final league match at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Dutt delivered a back-of-a-length ball on middle and off stump that skidded in with the angle. Abhishek attempted an aggressive stroke after two dot balls but missed it completely as the ball crashed into the leg stump.
It marked his third duck in a row in the tournament. He had begun his campaign with a golden duck against the United States in India’s opening match. He then missed the Namibia fixture after being hospitalised in New Delhi due to a stomach infection. On his return against Pakistan, he was again dismissed without scoring.
Earlier, India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bat first against the Netherlands.
India have already secured qualification for the Super Eight stage and will aim to finish the group phase unbeaten. The Netherlands are looking to end their campaign on a positive note.
At the toss, Suryakumar confirmed two changes to the side. Arshdeep Singh replaced Kuldeep Yadav, while Axar Patel was rested. Washington Sundar came into the playing XI.
“We are going to bat first. It looks like a good surface. We want to put runs on the board and put some pressure on the bowlers,” Suryakumar said. “The mood in the camp is really good. Every game, someone is putting their hand up. Arshdeep comes in for Kuldeep. Axar is resting and Washington comes in.”
India XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.
Netherlands XI: Michael Levitt, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (wk/c), Zach Lion-Cachet, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, Noah Croes.
