(Cricket news) India defeated Scotland by 8 wickets and 81 balls to spare, such was their dominance that they lifted their net run-rate above New Zealand and Afghanistan. India reduced Scotland to just 85 runs in 17.4 overs with Ravindra Jadeja taking wickets of Richie Berrington (0), Matthew Cross (2) and Michael Leask (21 runs off 12). 

Mohammed Shami took the wicket of Scotland’s top scorer George Munsey (24 runs off 19) before taking two wickets in three balls in the 17th over of Calum MacLeod (16) and Alasdair Evans (0). Safyaan Sharif was also run out in the same over as Scotland struggled with 81-9 before they were all out four runs later as Mark Watt (14 runs off 13) was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah who also took the wicket of Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer (1 run off 7) in the third over.

India got off to a fantastic start with KL Rahul (50 runs off 19) and Rohit Sharma (30 runs off 16) scoring 15 boundaries between them as India managed the highest powerplay score of the tournament of 82-2. Rohit Sharma was dismissed by Brad Wheal (lbw) at the end of the fifth over while KL Rahul was caught by Calum MacLeod off Mark Watt’s delivery at the end of the sixth over. However, Suryakumar Yadav (6* runs off 2) and Virat Kohli (2* runs off 2) secured India’s victory to give them an outside chance of keeping their T20 World Cup hopes alive.

Group 1 is set to conclude today with two of England, Australia or South Africa securing their place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. With four wins out of four, England are almost guaranteed qualification as their net run-rate is so strong and if Australia lose to West Indies, the Three Lions will secure automatic qualification. South Africa would have to defeat England and ensure they have a superior run-rate to Australia to go through while if both teams lose, it is Australia that looks likely to progress alongside England as they have a superior run-rate at the moment.

Also read: New Zealand stay on course for semifinal berth with big win over Namibia