In a commanding display at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India wrapped up their Group A campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 with a resounding 17-run victory over Netherlands on Wednesday. Shivam Dube was the undisputed hero, smashing a blistering 66 off 31 balls and then returning figures of 2/35 to earn the Player of the Match award.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India posted a formidable 193/6. The innings got off to a shaky start with Abhishek Sharma dismissed for a duck on the third ball. Tilak Varma steadied the ship, forging a 39-run stand with Ishan Kishan for the second wicket and adding 30 more with captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Tilak fell for 31 off 27, but Suryakumar (34) and Dube pushed the score to 110 with a 41-run partnership. Dube then unleashed havoc alongside Hardik Pandya, their 76-run stand off 35 balls propelling India to a challenging total. Dube’s knock featured 6 sixes and 4 fours, while Pandya chipped in with 30 off 21.
Netherlands’ Logan van Beek claimed 3 wickets, Aryan Dutt 2, and Kyle Klein 1 for the Dutch.
Chasing 194, Netherlands managed 176/7. Michael Levitt (24) and Max O’Dowd (20) provided a solid 35-run opening stand in 5.4 overs. But early breakthroughs left them at 51/2.
Colin Ackermann (23) and Bas de Leede (33) added 49 for the third wicket, taking the score to 94. However, Varun Chakaravarthy struck twice in two balls in the 13th over, removing Ackermann and Dutt to derail the chase.
Captain Scott Edwards scored 15, but with 125/6, the lower order fought back. Noah Croes (25*) and Jack Line-Kasett (26) added 47 for the seventh wicket, narrowing the margin. Chakaravarthy finished with 3/14, Dube 2/35, while Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya took one each.
India’s clinical performance seals a strong group stage finish, boosting morale for the knockouts.