Source NDTV sport
AHMEDABAD – India maintained their flawless streak in the T20 World Cup 2026, clinching a 17-run victory over the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday. The win, powered by Shivam Dube’s explosive half-century and Varun Chakravarthy’s clinical spin, ensures India finishes the group stage with four wins from four matches.
Dube Rescues Shaky Start
After electing to bat first, India faced early jitters. Opener Abhishek Sharma recorded his third consecutive duck, falling in the very first over. While Ishan Kishan (18), Tilak Varma (31), and Captain Suryakumar Yadav (34) provided starts, India found themselves at a precarious 110/4 in the 14th over.
The momentum shifted dramatically when Shivam Dube joined Hardik Pandya (30 off 21). Dube, who initially struggled to find his timing, eventually tore into the Dutch bowling attack. He smashed 66 off just 31 balls, including four boundaries and six massive sixes, primarily targeting the mid-wicket region. The duo added 76 runs for the fifth wicket, propelling India to a formidable total of 193/6.
Chakravarthy Spins a Web
In response, the Netherlands started steadily but could never quite match the required run rate. The introduction of Varun Chakravarthy proved decisive. The mystery spinner broke the opening stand by cleaning up Max O’Dowd with a skidding googly and later dismissed Colin Ackermann and Aryan Dutt in quick succession.
Chakravarthy finished with impressive figures of 3/14, stifling the Dutch middle order. Despite a spirited 33 from Bas de Leede and a late surge from the lower order that took the Netherlands to 176/7, the target remained out of reach.
Match Summary
Team Score Top Performers
India 193/6 (20 ov) Shivam Dube (66), Suryakumar Yadav (34)
Netherlands 176/7 (20 ov) Bas de Leede (33), Varun Chakravarthy (3/14)
Result: India won by 17 runs.
“We thought 180 was a good score, but reaching 194 gave us that extra cushion. Dube’s innings was fantastic and changed the game for us,” said Tilak Varma during the mid-innings break.
India now heads into the Super Eights with maximum confidence, where they are scheduled to face South Africa this coming Sunday in Ahmedabad.
