By the time the Indian team began entering the capital in batches — after a five-wicket win over Ireland in Bangalore — The Netherlands were already preparing at the Air Force grounds in Palam. The recently conquered Irish may have narrowly succumbed on Sunday night, but make no mistake about the fact that India will have another stern test against the Dutch on Wednesday.
The Netherlands trained hard with the hope of putting on a show that would give a good account of themselves, and boost the image of Associate Nations — to which the Irish have generously contributed with an unlikely three-wicket win over England last week. After all, their biggest night in terms of atmosphere at a cricket stadium — something their footballing equivalents will be quite used to — lies ahead when they take on India at the Ferozeshah Kotla in a day/night encounter.
Although the Netherlands also ran England close in their World Cup opener, but they were unimpressive against both the West Indies and South Africa — both over 200-run defeats. After the game against England, the Dutch realised that even a little bit of success — that came due to Ryan ten Doeschate’s century — can make them stars overnight, both back home and in India. While Peter Borren and Co have experienced playing in front of a full-house at the Lord’s, this will be their first tryst with the bustling wall of sound associated with cricket’s spiritual home.
The Netherlands trained hard with the hope of putting on a show that would give a good account of themselves, and boost the image of Associate Nations — to which the Irish have generously contributed with an unlikely three-wicket win over England last week. After all, their biggest night in terms of atmosphere at a cricket stadium — something their footballing equivalents will be quite used to — lies ahead when they take on India at the Ferozeshah Kotla in a day/night encounter.
Although the Netherlands also ran England close in their World Cup opener, but they were unimpressive against both the West Indies and South Africa — both over 200-run defeats. After the game against England, the Dutch realised that even a little bit of success — that came due to Ryan ten Doeschate’s century — can make them stars overnight, both back home and in India. While Peter Borren and Co have experienced playing in front of a full-house at the Lord’s, this will be their first tryst with the bustling wall of sound associated with cricket’s spiritual home.
