With veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the top, the Asian powerhouses have one of the strongest batting teams in the entire world.
The Netherlands team is working hard in the training camp in Bengaluru in order to get ready for the ODI World Cup 2023. With a decisive four-wicket victory over Scotland in the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023 in Zimbabwe, the Scott Edwards-led team ensured their place on the biggest platform in cricket.
The Dutch must compete against the best nine teams in the world for the prized trophy after qualifying for the mega event, which will start on October 5 in India. The hosts India will be one of the toughest opponents the Netherlands will face in the upcoming cricket spectacle. The Dutch will need to be at their best to defeat the Men in Blue, who are also one of the favorites to win the competition.
However, when the two teams square off in Bengaluru on November 12, the team is prepared with its strategy to take the prized scalp of Kohli, according to star Netherlands all-rounder Logan van Beek. The 33-year-old said that he would only require five balls to dismiss the great India hitter in an exclusive interview with Crictracker.
“I’m going to bowl outswingers on my first two balls when I bowl to Virat Kohli,” I said. I’ll then bowl a slower ball—an off-cutter slower ball—and he’ll hit it for a four. I’m going to leave the game for approximately five minutes and come back while acting irritated. I’ll get the captain to approach, and as we pretend to converse, I’ll point broadly while presuming to indicate I’m going to bowl that way.
But I’m not going to bowl that way, so I’m tricking him,” Logan stated in an exclusive interview with Crictracker on Monday, September 25 in Bengaluru, at the unveiling of the Netherlands’ World Cup 2023 shirt.
The Dutch batsman went on to say that following the first four deliveries, he would simply pray to the cricket gods for assistance in assisting him in taking Virat Kohli wicket.
“Pinball four” He will hit me for four consecutive fours after I bowl a beautiful half volley. He will cause a commotion, blow up his chest, and act as though he’s the greatest of all time, which he most likely is. But right now, I have him in the ideal position. He obviously has confidence because I reach the top of my mark and there is only one more ball needed.
When I reach my target, I plead to the cricketing gods and tell them, “I’ll do anything for you right now, but please let me get Virat Kohli out right away.” He is out after I run in and bowl the following ball while keeping my eyes closed,” he continued.
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Scott Edwards is also alert to the danger posed by the Indian batting order.
Along with Logan, the captain of the Netherlands expressed concern about India’s batting strength and agreed that the Rohit Sharma-led team would be challenging to defeat as the tournament favorites.
We probably don’t mind, I believe. Since it’s our final game of the competition, a lot could happen in that time. India will undoubtedly enter this World Cup as the favorites and will be a highly formidable team that will be challenging to defeat. So certainly, we can’t share our preparations before that game,” Edwards stated in response to a Crictracker question.
Notably, the Netherlands will face Pakistan in their opening World Cup match on October 6 in Hyderabad. They will play two exhibition games against Australia (on September 30 in Thiruvananthapuram) and India (on October 3) before that.