India claim massive win over Scotland to keep T20 World Cup hopes alive

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India have claimed a massive eight-wicket win over Scotland at Dubai International Stadium to keep their T20 World Cup hopes alive.

The Men in Blue, after restricting Scotland to 85, chased down the total for the loss of two wickets in only 6.3 overs. 

 

An effortless chase from India with KL Rahul securing the fastest fifty of the tournament and second-fastest in T20I history! 🔥#INDvSCO #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/c0FkIiWiTZ

— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) November 5, 2021

 

India's captain Virat Kohli was lucky enough to win the toss on his 33rd birthday and opted to bowl first. Scotland's opener George Munsey batted in a thrilling mode despite losing his skipper Kyle Coetzer (0) early.

He flicked Jasprit Bumrah for a six while reverse swept spinners and bagged boundaries. He was dismissed by Mohammad Shami as Hardik Pandya completed the catch at mid-on. Munsey hit a quartet of fours and a six for his 19-ball 24.

Meanwhile, Kohli introduced Ravindra Jadeja after the conclusion of the powerplay. He struck twice in one over and cause more trouble for the Scottish side.

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Calum MacLeod and Michael Leask looked to recover in the middle-overs. Leask was aggressive in his approach and hammered Shami for a six and a four. His enterprising knock of 21 in just 11 balls came to end as Jadeja trapped him in front.

Scotland innings didn't have any direction and India wrapped them for just 85 in 17.4 overs. Jadeja and Shami bagged three wickets while Bumrah took two, overtaking Yuzvendra Chahal's 63 to become the leading wicket-taker for India in this format. Bumrah now has 64 wickets to his name.

In return, India needed to win in 7.1 overs to improve their net run-rate (NRR) above Afghanistan and New Zealand. They chased down the target in only 6.3 overs.

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The duo of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul scored the fastest opening stand of 50 runs. In just 23 balls, they took team's total to 53. 

Meanwhile, Rohit was dismissed by Brad Wheal on the last bowl of the fifth over. He scored 30 in just 16 balls, hitting five fours and a six.

On the other hand, Rahul cruised to his fifty in just 18 balls, the fastest of the event. He smoked six fours and three sixes. Mark Watt bagged his dismissal as Rahul tried to finish the chase with a six. He was caught by MacLeod at mid-on.

 

 

A magical knock from KL Rahul comes to an end. Fastest fifty of the tournament from him, which included 6 fours and 3 sixes! 🔥🔥🔥

Follow live: https://t.co/R1hmGHB0ml#INDvSCO #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/0saxQ6byVK

— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) November 5, 2021

 

Suryakumar Yadav hit six straight over Chris Greaves' head and wrapped up the chase. India will now face Namibia on October 8 at the same venue for the final group match.

India's NRR is now even better than Afghanistan and New Zealand but they will now hope Afghanistan to beat New Zealand on November 7.

If Afghanistan manages to do so, India will try to claim a convincing win over Namibia to qualify for the semi-finals.