There Is Pressure On Afghanistan-New Zealand After India's Rising Net Run Rate: Sunil Gavaskar

On Friday, India clawed their way back in the T20 World Cup after an eight-wicket triumph over Scotland in UAE.

Winning the toss for the first time in the tournament, Virat Kohli opted to field first, and Indian bowlers were lethal in their business.

Indian openers Kl Rahul and Rohit Sharma once again displayed fire in their innings as India scored 82 in the Powerplay overs despite losing both the openers.

With India’s NRR being better than both Afghanistan and New Zealand, pressure is on both teams: Sunil Gavaskar

India chased the low score of 86 within 6.3 overs to get boost up their net run rate to +1.619 and leapfrogged Afghanistan in the points table.

Former Indian player Sunil Gavaskar asserted that both Afghanistan and New Zealand teams will be under pressure in their final game because of the surge in India’s net run rate.

“This win now in the Afghanistan-New Zealand game, there is pressure on both the teams. Earlier on, it wouldn’t have been the case with India’s NRR not being good. But with India’s NRR being better than both Afghanistan and New Zealand, so the pressure is on both teams,” Gavaskar told India Today.

Mind-boggling performance by India: Sunil Gavaskar

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (3/15), with the help of Mohammed Shami (3/15) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/10), folded up Scotland’s innings for 85 in 17.4 overs.

Gavaskar termed India’s win as a mind-boggling one and appreciated the openers for their fiery approach in the chase.

“Mind-boggling performance by everybody. The way the bowlers bowled and the way the batters then recognised the situation and the equation and batted. There were no crass shots in that, both KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma played orthodox cricket shots. It was very, very good,” Gavaskar mentioned.

“India knew they couldn’t be bowled out when chasing 86. So the openers did the right thing, they went hell bent for leather straight away and put pressure on Scotland,” he added.

India will play their final group stage match against Namibia on November 8 in Dubai.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021: Twitter Reacts As India Thrash Scotland, Go Above Afghanistan & New Zealand’s NRR