T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs NED: Dube’s all-round impact and Varun ’s spin mastery help India complete a dominant group-stage sweep.
Brief Scores: India 193/6 (Shivam Dube 66, Logan van Beek 3/56) beat Netherlands 176/7 (Bas de Leede 33, Varun Chakravarthy 3/14) by 17 runs.
Player of the Match: Shivam Dube (66 off 31)
India’s winning run continued in T20 World Cup 2026 as they defeated the Netherlands by 17 runs in Ahmedabad, delivering a controlled and clinical performance. A total of 193 on a slow surface proved decisive, with Shivam Dube leading the charge with a quickfire half-century and later contributing with two wickets.
The chase was then effectively controlled by Varun Chakravarthy, who claimed three crucial wickets to halt Netherlands’ momentum and seal the result. With this victory, India extended their unbeaten streak in T20 World Cups to 12 matches, underlining their authority in the tournament.
Talking Point: Shivam Dube’s another critical contribution
Once again, Shivam Dube played the stabilising role India needed. Much like in the game against Pakistan, he walked in at a time when wickets were falling regularly and the innings lacked direction. Dube first steadied the innings before shifting gears, smashing 66 off 31 balls to power India to a strong total.
With Hardik Pandya struggling for rhythm and Suryakumar Yadav needing support in the middle overs, Dube held the innings together and then helped accelerate towards the finish. He wasn’t done there. Dube also made an impact with the ball, picking up two wickets to dent the Netherlands’ chase, underlining his value as a genuine all-round contributor.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs PAK: Kishan smothers Pak’s hyped spin attack; India through to Super 8
Shivam Dube’s 31-ball 66 takes India to 193-6
India posted a commanding 193/6 in their final group-stage match in Ahmedabad, thanks largely to a stunning counterattack from Shivam Dube. After losing both openers inside the powerplay, including Abhishek Sharma for his third consecutive duck, India needed stability. Suryakumar Yadav (34) and Tilak Varma (31) attempted to rebuild the innings, but it was Dube who decisively shifted the momentum with a blazing 66 off 31 balls, taking control in the death overs.
Supported by Hardik Pandya at the other end, Dube’s late assault powered India to a formidable total. For the Netherlands, Logan van Beek picked up three wickets, while Aryan Dutt claimed two, and veteran Roelof van der Merwe pulled off a sensational catch in the field. Despite the early setbacks, India recovered strongly, with Dube’s explosive knock putting them firmly in control of the contest.
Varun Chakravarthy shines as India remains unbeaten with 17-run win
Chasing 194, the Netherlands made a steady start but struggled to keep pace with the rising asking rate on a slow surface. Varun Chakravarthy turned the game in India’s favour with a decisive spell, picking up two wickets in successive deliveries and finishing with impressive figures of 3-14. The pressure continued to mount, and although Bas de Leede top-scored with 33, the chase never truly gathered momentum.
India kept striking at regular intervals, with Shivam Dube, who had earlier starred with the bat, also contributing with two wickets. Unable to find boundaries consistently and losing wickets at crucial moments, the Netherlands fell short as India sealed a comfortable 17-run victory.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs NAM: Despite few hiccups along the way, India climb to pole position
Statistical Highlights from IND vs NED T20 World Cup 2026 clash
- Abhishek Sharma recorded his third consecutive duck in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, moving to the top of India’s unwanted list for most ducks in the tournament, along with Ashish Nehra.
- Hardik Pandya has crossed the 6000-run mark in T20 cricket.
- Shivam Dube registered his highest T20I score (66).
- Suryakumar Yadav has scored 162 runs in T20 World Cup 2026 so far. It is the second-highest tally for an India captain in a single edition of the World T20.
What’s next
With the group stage complete, India now head into the Super Eight stage full of confidence after today’s win. Their next assignment is a significant one, a clash against South Africa on 22 February at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The contest carries added intrigue as it revisits the rivalry from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final, giving India another opportunity to test themselves against one of the strongest teams in the tournament.
Top Twitter Reactions from IND vs NED, Ahmedabad, T20 World Cup 2026
Fantastic to watch Free flowing cricket by Shivam Dube. Game changing innings under pressure.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 18, 2026
Team India’s Winning run continues. Shivam Dube has become a very important part of their power hitting set up. He has played some crucial cameos in big games but today he got the opportunities to play longer inning, he played beautifully.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 18, 2026
That’s 3 in row! #T20WorldCup #abhishek
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 18, 2026
Cruel game this sometimes. Chin up lad☺️
Importantly, I would argue that even if a player peaks later in a tournament like this, it’s fine. As a batter, you find yourself lacking in inner endurance and stamina after food poisoning. Abhishek will continue to be the X-factor in Super 8s. Chin up young lad! #T20WorldCup
— Priyank Panchal (@PKpanchal09) February 18, 2026
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: India struggling to maximise batting resources over the course of 20 overs
