India Survive Hong Kong Threat
On the other hand, it was an eye-opening match for India ahead of their biggest challenge against Pakistan tomorrow. They would have thought that it will be an easy outing for them but Hong Kong made it difficult by playing some excellent cricket. India should thank to both spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav and debutante Khaleel Ahamed who held their nerve well and saved India from a big upset.
Earlier in the day, Hong Kong put India to bat first after winning the toss in a must-win match for them. Stand in captain Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan gave a good start to India by adding 45-runs for the opening stand. Though Rohit could not make it big and got out after scoring 23 off 22 balls to Ehsan Khan.
However, Dhawan took full advantage of weak Hong Kong bowling line up and slammed his 14th ODI century. He added 116 runs with Ambati Rayudu (60 off 70) for the second wicket. When India was heading towards a big score from 240 for 2 after 40.3 overs, lost Dhawan after scoring 127 off 120 balls and from there on they lose the way and could manage only 49 runs in last ten overs and restricted to 285 for 7.
Hong Kong bowled well especially towards the end of the innings. Kinchit Shah was the pick of the bowlers. He took 3 wickets for 39 in 9 overs. Ehsan Khan also took 2 wickets for 65. Though they bowled well 285 was still looking uphill task for them.
To chase this target down, Hong Kong was needed a solid start. Nizakat Khan and skipper Anshuman Rath not only gave solid start but also they nearly took the game away from India. Remained wicketless for 33 overs, India was needed something miracle to happen. And all of sudden, Anshuman Rath (73) went for an expensive drive to Kuldeep but could not hold it to the ground and ball went straight to skipper Rohit's hand at the covers.
Once the first wicket fall, Rohit brought back debutante Khaleel on the attack and he didn't disappoint the skipper and produced a match-changing wicket of Nizakat Khan who batted brilliantly for his 92 runs off 115 balls. Once both the openers dismissed, it became almost impossible for inexperienced Hong Kong batting line up and fell just short of the target and managed only 259 for 8 in 50 overs.
For India, the 20-year old left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers. He bowled under pressure and took 3 important wickets for 48 in 10 overs. The spin duo of Chahal and Yadav was once again brilliant with the ball and took 3 and 2 wickets respectively in 10 overs each.
Shikhar Dhawan awarded Man Of The Match for his brilliant knock. With this win, India enters in super 4 stage along with arch-rivals Pakistan. India will now play against Pakistan in their second match of the group stage on Wednesday 19.
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