AHMEDABAD: In a thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup, India clinched a hard-fought 17-run victory against the Netherlands on Wednesday. Batting first after winning the toss, the Men in Blue posted a formidable 193 for 6, thanks to explosive contributions from key batsmen. The Dutch side fought valiantly but fell short at 176 for 7, handing India a crucial win in their campaign.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, reflecting on the match, emphasized that victories also offer valuable lessons. ‘Even in a win, there are things to learn,’ he stated post-match. ‘We wanted to bat first, and reaching 193 was solid. But dew made bowling tricky later on. Still, we’re thrilled with the result.’
Suryakumar highlighted the importance of adapting to conditions, especially with potential dew factors in upcoming games. He praised the middle-order firepower, naming Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar as finishers who can seal tight chases or defenses.
Shivam Dube starred with a blistering 66 off 31 balls, smashing six sixes and four fours. ‘Dube’s innings in the middle overs took the pressure off everyone,’ Suryakumar noted. ‘His form from the New Zealand game carried over, and 190-plus on this pitch is a great total.’
The captain utilized seven bowlers, showcasing the squad’s depth. ‘With options like Abhishek Sharma, Hardik, and Dube, we can mix it up based on the wicket,’ he said. Suryakumar himself contributed 34 off 28, including a six and two fours, expressing satisfaction with the collective effort.
‘Everyone’s chipping in with small partnerships,’ he added. ‘That’s ideal for building big scores. We’ll review tomorrow after rest.’ This win sets India up nicely, but Suryakumar’s focus remains on continuous improvement ahead of tougher challenges.