Twitter Reactions: India keep hanging by a thread for semis berth after Scotland annihilation

India started the T20 World Cup 2021 with back-to-back defeats at the hands of Pakistan and New Zealand. However, the Virat Kohli-led unit have well and truly found their mojo back. On Friday, November 5, the Men in Blue defeated Scotland by eight wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With the win, India went to No.3 in Group 2, but got their net run rate up to 1.619.

Shami, Jadeja make hay

After winning the toss and opting to field first, India did an excellent job, restricting the Scots to a mere 85 in 17.4 overs. Scotland could only manage 27 runs in the powerplay and lost the wickets of skipper Kyle Coetzer and Matthew Cross. Richie Berrington bagged his third duck of the ongoing tournament after left-armer Ravindra Jadeja castled him. Jadeja also got the wicket of Cross.

George Munsey, at the other end, looked promising, having scored 24 with four fours and one six. He top-scored for the Scots before Mohammed Shami sent him back. Michael Leask threatened for a while, scoring 21 off 12 after which he became Jadeja’s third victim. Shami also got three wickets. Jasprit Bumrah accounted for two scalps while off-spinner Varun Chakravarthy returned wicketless.

India canter home

The Indian openers – KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma – threw the kitchen sink at everything to start their run-chase. The duo was aware that India had to get their nrr up and hence, played their shots right from the word go. In the first three overs, Rohit and Rahul went absolutely berserk to rack up 39 runs. The Scotland bowlers looked hapless as boundaries kept coming at an alarming rate.

Evans went for 16 runs in the first over he bowled while Wheal was taken for 32 in his first two overs. However, Wheal gave Scotland their first breakthrough, getting rid of Rohit, who smashed 30 runs off 16 balls with the help of five fours and one six. Rahul, at the other end, kept going for the big shots. He scored 50 off 19 with six fours and three sixes and India chased down the target with 81 balls to spare.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to India’s win against Scotland in Dubai

KL Rahul’s fifty in 18 balls today,

– Second fastest for India in T20Is
– Joint third fastest in T20 World Cup#INDvSCO

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 5, 2021

KL Rahul’s fifty in 18 balls today,

– Second fastest for India in T20Is
– Joint third fastest in T20 World Cup#INDvSCO

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 5, 2021

Them: Indian fans shouldn't get excited with this win. Their qualification isn't in their hands etc..
Meanwhile us 😏: #INDvSCO #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/qGLm9Ut0xP

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 5, 2021

Any guesses in how many balls #TeamIndia will chase this total?#T20WorldCup #INDvSCO

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 5, 2021

India (1.62) now has a better NRR than Afghanistan (1.48). It's all onto Afghanistan Vs New Zealand and India Vs Namibia game.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 5, 2021

Bumrah just bowls the best disguised slower haggis ever…. Too hard to pick up. #INDvsSCO

— Niall John O Brien (@niallnobiobrien) November 5, 2021

I've not missed a match of this @T20WorldCup
The majority of them have been one sided.
All a bit meh really…

— Peter Borren (@dutchiepdb) November 5, 2021

Give Munsey a brush #INDvsSCO

— Niall John O Brien (@niallnobiobrien) November 5, 2021

India now have the NRR of +1.62 which is the best in Group 2. If Afghanistan beat NZ, India would know the exact margin of victory to qualify for the semi-finals. If New Zealand win they'll be through. Afghanistan qualifies if they beat NZ & pip India in NRR if they beat Namibia

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 5, 2021

Here is my review of this lovely birthday gift that his team has given ⁦@imVkohli⁩ what a clinical win this was against Scotland. And the NRR problem is also sorted. Listen in. pic.twitter.com/Wygg2s4JPJ

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) November 5, 2021

KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma tonight 🤯 pic.twitter.com/kTvgtx1fYk

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 5, 2021

❤🤍 pic.twitter.com/zQjwQTESVR

— riya (@reaadubey) November 5, 2021

India won the match with 81 balls remaining

– Third largest victory by balls remaining in T20 World Cup
– Largest victory by balls remaining for India in T20Is#INDvSCO

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 5, 2021

Not such tough opponent, but India’s strong intent, with and bat and ball was worth watching. Twin objectives of winning match as well as upping NRR substantially achieved. Now for Afghanistan to beat NZ

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 5, 2021