T20 World Cup: Team India going out fighting rather than surrendering

KL Rahul

Scotland is a scenic part of the British Isles, the home of single malts, lakes, kilts bagpipes. The Scots have evolved at cricket. The influence of Indians in the Scottish team start from the late Budhi Kunderan, Lalchand Rajput to the newly-appointed Indian coach Rahul Dravid, all of whom have played for Scotland.

The game was a bit different on Friday. India were in a hurry to steamroll Scotland with a net run-rate at stake. Mohammed Shami (3-15), Ravindra Jadeja (3-15) and Jasprit Bumrah (2-10) demolished the Scots for 85 in 17.4 overs.

Shishir Hattangadi

To achieve the required run-rate, India needed to win the match in eight overs.

When KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are on song, batting looks like an easy craft. They batted with the freedom of school children just out of an examination that had put a lot of pressure on them in the days gone by. This Indian team were different from what we've seen. They have decided that they'd go out of the tournament fighting rather than surrendering to pressure.

Achieving the target in 6.3 overs has made the Black Caps versus Afghanistan game a do-or-die for the Kiwis.

Will they feel the pressure or will they do what they are known to? It's for the Afghanistan to put pressure on New Zealand.

India will be watching that game with one hand on the lock - to pack their bags or keep them open to play the knockouts.

Also Read: T20 World Cup: Virat Kohli and Co hope for A miracle

The writer is a former Mumbai captain and currently CEO of BarShishir Hattangadi
oda Cricket Association