India formally concluded their T20 World Cup 2026 group stage with an ideal report, defeating the Netherlands by 17 runs in a high-scoring encounter on the Narendra Modi Stadium on February 18, 2026. This victory marks India’s fourth consecutive win in Group A, as they head into the Tremendous 8s with immense momentum as the one undefeated group of their pool. With this consequence, India clinches the highest spot in Group A, successfully ending the primary part of their title protection with scientific precision in entrance of a large Ahmedabad crowd.
T20 World Cup 2026: Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya’s damaging end powers India to 193
The narrative of the Indian innings was utterly rewritten by Shivam Dube, who produced a career-best 66 off simply 31 balls to propel the group from a shaky begin to a formidable 193/6. Arriving on the crease after the early departures of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, Dube initially performed a supporting position earlier than unleashing a savage assault that featured six towering maximums into the mid-wicket stands.
Dube discovered an ideal associate in Hardik Pandya, who contributed a quick-fire 30 off 21 balls, and collectively they orchestrated a 76-run partnership that plundered 75 runs within the last 5 overs alone. Dube reached his maiden T20 World Cup fifty in simply 25 deliveries, showcasing his immense worth as a spin-basher by focusing on Roelof van der Merwe and Aryan Dutt for enormous hits.
Regardless of the Netherlands’ early success by Aryan, who claimed 2/19 together with the prized wicket of the struggling Abhishek, the Dutch bowlers have been finally overwhelmed by the sheer energy of India’s center order. The late-innings surge, punctuated by a final-over six from Rinku Singh, ensured India posted a complete effectively past the typical rating for the venue, leaving the opposition with a mountain to climb below the Ahmedabad lights.
Additionally WATCH: IND vs NED: 41-year-old Roelof van der Merwe silences Ahmedabad crowd with screamer to dismiss Tilak Varma in T20 World Cup 2026
Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah choke Netherlands chase to safe excellent report
Defending a goal of 194, the Indian bowling unit delivered a scientific efficiency to limit the Netherlands to 166/9, making certain the 17-run victory was by no means actually doubtful. The breakthrough got here through Varun Chakaravarthy, who continued his distinctive match kind by taking 3/21, together with two wickets in two balls to derail the Dutch center order simply as they seemed to speed up.
Whereas Michael Levitt (24) and Bas de Leede (33) offered transient resistance, the relentless strain from Jasprit Bumrah on the loss of life, who famously castled Scott Edwards with a searing yorker, proved unattainable to navigate. Hardik Pandya additionally made a big contribution with the ball, selecting up the wicket of Levitt early in his spell to make sure the Netherlands by no means received the “powerplay enhance” they desperately wanted.
Although the Dutch tail wagged barely within the last two overs, selecting up 18 runs off Pandya’s penultimate over, the required fee had already climbed into the unattainable territory of 28 for the ultimate six balls. Shivam maintained his composure within the last over to seal the win, permitting India to log out from Group A with eight factors and a large enhance to their internet run fee earlier than going through South Africa within the Tremendous 8s.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Improbable to look at Free flowing cricket by Shivam Dube. Sport altering innings below strain.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 18, 2026
Staff India’s Successful run continues. Shivam Dube has change into an important a part of their energy hitting arrange. He has performed some essential cameos in large video games however in the present day he received the alternatives to play longer inning, he performed fantastically.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 18, 2026
India take the win, however credit score the place it’s due. Netherlands confirmed actual combat and stayed within the contest until the very finish. Spectacular temperament on the large stage. 👏 #INDvsNED
— Nigel D’Souza (@Nigel__DSouza) February 18, 2026
Match defining innings, Shivam Dube, when the group was dube dube
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 18, 2026
Shivam Dube, thanks for holding cricket alive.
— Foolish Level (@FarziCricketer) February 18, 2026
Shivam Dube has taken over the mantle of being the buccaneer of this Indian batting. #IndvsNed #ICCMensT20WorldCup
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 18, 2026
Shivam Dube has received some Caribbean energy 💀🥶
— Kevin (@imkevin149) February 18, 2026
– Beat USA.
– Beat Namibia.
– Beat Pakistan.
– Beat Netherlands.TOTAL DOMINANCE BY INDIA – UNBEATEN IN GROUP STAGE BY SURYA ARMY…!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/igWt1Lk4bO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 18, 2026
Netherlands scoring 176 towards india is regarding,indian group has severe work to do. When it comes to batting and fielding Staff Netherlands we’re phenomenal.Affiliate nations have actually shocked the world.Full member groups must play bilateral sequence with them#T20WorldCup2026
— Ishaan (@Ishaan071007) February 18, 2026
66 runs and a couple of essential wickets, Shivam Dube is the definition of an impression participant 🌟#ShivamDube #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/lCAxnLrOPF
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 18, 2026
Additionally READ: IND vs NED: Fans express shock as Abhishek Sharma records third consecutive duck in T20 World Cup 2026
