Argus News - India Stay Unbeaten with 17-Run Win Over Netherlands in T20 World Cup

Ahmedabad, Feb 18: India maintained their unbeaten run heading into the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after clinching a comfortable 17-run win over the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium here, Wednesday.

After Shivam Dube’s masterclass with the bat, Indian bowlers performed impressively, besides some disappointing moments. Varun Chakravarthy was the pick of the Indian bowlers with the figures of 3/14 off his three overs. Although a bit expensive, Dube also chipped in with the ball, finishing his three-over spell with 2/35.

The Dutch side were off to a slow start, before they upped the ante with boundaries at crucial junctures. However, they lost all the momentum losing four quick wickets — from the 13th to 16th over — which derailed their hopes of a victory.

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Zach Lion-Cachet (26) and Noah Croes (25 n o) did raised some hopes with cameos, but it was too little too late for the Dutch side. The 47-run stand between the duo for the seventh wicket was the Netherland’s highest partnership in the match.

Earlier, Dube's 66 (31b, 4x4, 6x6) — his highest T20I score — and Suryakumar Yadav's 34 helped India reach 193/6 after electing to bat on a red soil wicket.

India lost out-of-form Abhishek Sharma early as he departed for his third consecutive duck of the tournament. Aryan Dutt struck twice early to shake India during the Powerplay. He dismissed both Sharma and Ishan Kishan (18) with three excellent overs of off-spin with the new ball. Ishan showed promise with a few solid hits and added 39 runs with Tilak Varma (31) before he got bowled in an unfortunate dismissal.

Varma and skipper Surya took hold of the Indian innings and then added 30-odd runs. Surya was dropped by Michael Levitt off Logan van Beek, but ultimately, the Netherlands all-rounder got rid of Varma with a slower delivery bowled outside off. Varma, looking to go big over long-off, placed it beside 41-year-old Roelof van der Merwe, who attempted a full-stretched dive to complete the wicket.

Skipper Surykumar then opened his hand with a signature style ‘Supla’ shot off de Leede in the 12th over, and then all-rounder Shivam Dube took charge of power-hitting in the very next over. Just when it seemed like the hosts were gaining momentum with Suryakumar and Dube launching a counterattack, the Netherlands responded fiercely with the wicket of the skipper, who departed on 34 off 28. The visitors struck at a key moment, stopping the charge and bringing the game back into balance.

Dube led the way, blasting both spin and pace on his way to an explosive half-century off just 25 balls, featuring two fours and five sixes. For the Netherlands, Logan van Beek 3-56 and Aryan Dutt 2-19 were the key bowlers.

Brief scores: India 193/6 in 20 overs (Shivam Dube 66, Suryakumar Yadav 34; Logan van Beek 3-56, Aryan Dutt 2-19) beat the Netherlands 176/7 (Bas de Leede 33; Varun Chakravarthy 3/14, Shivam Dube 2/35) by 17 runs.