Dubai: Needing a big win, the Indian bowlers first set up the stage for another one on Friday, after folding Scotland for a paltry 85, and then the batters chased down the target in 6.3 overs by losing only two wickets, but not before KL Rahul scored a scintillating half century.
With this win, India's NRR has gone past Afghanistan's and New Zealand's.
Rahul and Rohit Sharma started the chase with a vengeance putting 70 runs on the board in just five overs. Rahul hammered 50 in 19 balls decorated with 6 boundaries and 3 sixes, and a strike rate of 263.16. Rohit fired 30 off 16 balls with 5 boundaries and a six, taking his strike rate to 187.50.
India ended the innings at 89 for 2 after Suryankant Yadav (6 n.o) belted one for six as Captain Virat Kohli (2 n.o) watched the ball sailing over the ropes.
Earlier, hardly anything was there in offer for Scotland to cherish about. George Munsey (24) played some exquisite shots, but other than that they could not do much as the Indian bowlers gave the marching orders to Scottish batters.
Both Indian pacers and spinners exploited the conditions exceedingly well. Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the lot, although Mohammad Shami's late burst was too hot for Scotland. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin had been on mark picking three wickets between them.
Without any doubt, Jadeja was declared Player of the Match for his magical four overs.
It was Kohli's birthday and was lucky to have called the toss right for a change after losing it on many occasions. Mindful of the dew factor and the job of improving the NRR to keep their hopes alive in the tournament, India decided to chase.
Varun Chakravarthy returned as India's third spinner in place of Shardul Thakur and did his job as spinner pretty well. He conceded 15 runs in three overs.
India started well after Jasprit Bumrah unleashed a slower ball to take out Kyle Coetzer in the powerplay, but conceded a six to George Musey, sending a strong signal about his intent.
In the seventh over though, Jadeja cleaned up Richie Berrington and then trapped Matthew Cross LBW, leaving Scotland 29 for 4.
The Indian bowlers were excellent, hardly giving any room to the Scottish batsmen. The spinners were even more fantastic. The rival batsmen were at sea with Varun's variations and Jadeja's spinning abilities.
Jadeja was so good that Scotland were only able to smack six of his 24 balls. He picked up three wickets for 15 runs.
Shami, on the other end, was in a hurry to finish it off. He bowled Calum MacLeod off the pad, then Safyaan Sharif was run-out. Alasdair Evans was his last scalp after yorking him at the roots.
Other two wickets were taken by Bumrah (2) and Ravichandran Ashwin (1). (UNI)
