Ahmedabad erupted in cheers as Team India clinched a thrilling 17-run win against Netherlands in their final Group A clash of the T20 World Cup 2026. All-rounder Shivam Dube lit up the Narendra Modi Stadium with a match-winning 66 and crucial wickets, walking away with the Player of the Match honors.
India, batting first after a winning toss, raced to 193/6. Abhishek Sharma’s golden duck set a tense tone early, but Tilak Varma’s composed 31 off 27 balls, including partnerships of 39 with Ishan Kishan and 30 with Suryakumar Yadav (34), rebuilt the innings.
Suryakumar and Dube’s 41-run stand took India past 110. Dube then dominated, partnering Hardik Pandya for a explosive 76 off 35 balls. His 31-ball 66, laced with 4 fours and 6 massive sixes, set an imposing target. Pandya’s 30 off 21 added firepower.
Logan van Beek (3 wickets), Aryan Dutt (2), and Kyle Klein starred for Netherlands’ bowling.
In pursuit, Netherlands started brightly with Levitt and O’Dowd’s 35-run opening stand. O’Dowd made 20, Levitt 24. At 51/2, Ackermann and de Leede’s 49-run alliance lifted them to 94/2.
The momentum shifted dramatically when Varun Chakaravarthy dismantled the middle order, bagging Ackermann and Dutt off consecutive balls. Edwards managed 15, but at 125/6, hope faded.
Croes and Line-Kasett’s defiant 47-run stand softened the blow, ending at 176/7. Chakaravarthy’s 3/14 was pivotal, supported by Dube’s 2/35, Bumrah, and Pandya’s wickets.
This victory cements India’s dominance in Group A, with Dube emerging as the tournament’s breakout star.