India formally concluded their T20 World Cup 2026 group stage with an ideal file, 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 section of their title protection with scientific precision in entrance of an enormous 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 function earlier than unleashing a savage assault that featured six towering maximums into the mid-wicket stands.
Dube discovered an ideal companion 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 remaining 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 large hits.
Regardless of the Netherlands’ early success by means of Aryan, who claimed 2/19 together with the prized wicket of the struggling Abhishek, the Dutch bowlers have been ultimately 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 properly past the typical rating for the venue, leaving the opposition with a mountain to climb beneath the Ahmedabad lights.
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Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah choke Netherlands chase to safe excellent file
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 really unsure. The breakthrough got here through Varun Chakaravarthy, who continued his distinctive match type by taking 3/21, together with two wickets in two balls to derail the Dutch center order simply as they regarded to speed up.
Whereas Michael Levitt (24) and Bas de Leede (33) offered temporary resistance, the relentless stress from Jasprit Bumrah on the demise, who famously castled Scott Edwards with a searing yorker, proved inconceivable to navigate. Hardik Pandya additionally made a major contribution with the ball, selecting up the wicket of Levitt early in his spell to make sure the Netherlands by no means bought the “powerplay enhance” they desperately wanted.
Despite the fact that the Dutch tail wagged barely within the remaining two overs, selecting up 18 runs off Pandya’s penultimate over, the required price had already climbed into the inconceivable territory of 28 for the ultimate six balls. Shivam maintained his composure within the remaining over to seal the win, permitting India to log off from Group A with eight factors and an enormous enhance to their web run price earlier than going through South Africa within the Tremendous 8s.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Incredible to observe Free flowing cricket by Shivam Dube. Sport altering innings beneath stress.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 18, 2026
Crew India’s Successful run continues. Shivam Dube has turn out to be an important a part of their energy hitting arrange. He has performed some essential cameos in large video games however right this moment he bought the alternatives to play longer inning, he performed superbly.
— 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 maintaining 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 bought 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 critical work to do. When it comes to batting and fielding Crew Netherlands we’re phenomenal.Affiliate nations have actually stunned the world.Full member groups must play bilateral sequence with them#T20WorldCup2026
— Ishaan (@Ishaan071007) February 18, 2026
66 runs and a pair of essential wickets, Shivam Dube is the definition of an affect participant 🌟#ShivamDube #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/lCAxnLrOPF
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 18, 2026
Additionally READ: IND vs NED: Followers specific shock as Abhishek Sharma data third consecutive duck in T20 World Cup 2026
