Indian batters find form in comfortable win over Netherlands

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav all made half centuries in a 56-run victory, which means they are the only team left in the tournament with a 100 per cent record

Sydney: India 179-2, Netherlands 123-9 - India win by 56 runs

Scorecard

India backed up their thrilling win over Pakistan on Sunday by beating the Netherlands comfortably in Sydney.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav all made half centuries in a 56-run victory, which means they are the only team left in the tournament with a 100 per cent record.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, India started scratchily, with KL Rahul trapped in front in the third over against Paul van Meekeren, though replays showed a review might have saved him, and Rohit Sharma dropped in the fifth.

Following the powerplay, however, Rohit found his rhythm and as the innings wore on he became India's leading six-hitter in T20Is; he brought up his fifty in 35 balls. That was marginally quicker than Kohli's; the hero of the MCG played a measured supporting role through the middle overs, before accelerating in the final five to reach back-to-back fifties, ending unbeaten on 61.

Yadav put the finishing touches to that platform, smashing 51 in double-quick time after the Netherlands had for a long period through India's innings remained competitive and given little away. For India's No.4, his 25-ball knock marked the continuation of a superb personal year, cover-driving powerfully flicking balls effortlessly off his hip. He reached his half century off the final delivery of the innings.

^{Arshdeep Singh took two wickets at the end for India (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)}

In reply, the Netherlands struggled from the outset, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2 for 9) starting with a maiden in his first over and following up with a wicket maiden in his second, bowling Vikram Singh.

Max O'Dowd looked in fine touch against the Indian seamers but succumbed round his legs to the spin of Axar Patel.

At the end of the powerplay the Dutch found themselves 27 for 2 with India well on top. Thereafter, India's spin duo, Patel (2 for 18) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2 for 21), ripped through the Dutch middle order, Patel removing Bas de Leede and Ashwin accounting for Ackermann and Cooper, both caught in the deep.

A cameo from Tim Pringle (20), including a six over long-on off Ashwin, gave the Dutch fans something to cheer about, as did an entertaining effort from Shariz Ahmad, but they finished well short in the end.