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India secured a commanding 17-run victory over the Netherlands in their final T20 World Cup 2026 group stage match, maintaining a perfect 4-0 record as they advance unbeaten into the Super 8 stage.

India's Resilient Batting Sets Up a Challenging Total

India posted a formidable 193 for six against the Netherlands in their T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Opting to bat first, the Indian top order faced early setbacks, particularly against the probing off-spin of Aryan Dutt, who troubled the openers. Abhishek Sharma continued his lean run, registering a third consecutive duck, bowled on the third ball of the innings. Ishan Kishan managed 18, while Tilak Varma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav got starts with 31 and 34 respectively, but couldn't convert them into a bigger score. The innings teetered at 110 for four before Shivam Dube turned the game on its head with a explosive 66 off just 31 balls, including two sixes and several boundaries.

Dube's counter-attacking knock, especially against spinner Colin Ackermann, injected momentum, reaching his half-century off 25 deliveries. He forged a crucial 76-run partnership with Hardik Pandya, who scored 30, ensuring the final 10 overs yielded 119 runs. Though both fell in the last over, India's total proved defendable on a pitch offering some assistance to bowlers later. The massive 110,000-capacity stadium, packed with over 68,000 fans, buzzed with anticipation as the hosts aimed to cap their group stage perfectly. Logan van Beek picked up three wickets for the Dutch, but it wasn't enough to stem the flow.

Varun Chakravarthy and Bowling Attack Seal the Deal

Chasing 194, the Netherlands started cautiously in the powerplay, reaching 36 for one after losing Max O'Dowd. Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah kept things tight early on, setting a required rate that climbed above 11. Varun Chakravarthy was the standout performer, claiming three for 14 in just three overs, dismantling the Dutch middle order. His mystery spin struck in the powerplay and middle overs, removing Colin Ackermann for 23 and Aryan Dutt with successive balls in the 13th over, leaving Netherlands at 94 for four.

Shivam Dube chipped in with two wickets for 35, while Bumrah and Hardik Pandya applied the finishing touches. Bas de Leede top-scored with 33 off 23, and Zach Lion-Cachet made 26, but the required run rate forced risky shots. Scott Edwards fell to Bumrah, and despite a late push, Netherlands finished at 176 for seven. Dew made bowling challenging, but India's attack held firm, clinching a 17-run win. This victory extended India's T20 World Cup winning streak to 12 matches, underscoring their dominance.

Unbeaten Run Continues, But Challenges Lie Ahead

This result means India topped Group A ahead of rivals Pakistan, heading into Super 8 with a flawless record. However, concerns linger over the top-order fragility, with Abhishek Sharma's form a notable worry. Dube's promotion has paid dividends, providing stability and fireworks.

Suryakumar Yadav, India captain: We wanted to bat first, went on to score 190. There was a bit of dew, a little challenging for the bowlers but all in all, very happy. We might be in a similar situation losing early wickets, but it is important for the batters to understand what the responsibility is.

The spirited Netherlands pushed hard, nearly pulling off an upset, but India's depth prevailed. Next up for the defending champions is a tough Super 8 encounter against South Africa at the same venue, a team that topped a competitive Group D featuring New Zealand and Afghanistan. With the World Cup co-hosted in India, expectations are sky-high, and this win serves as ideal preparation. Fans celebrated wildly as the team stayed unbeaten, but fine-tuning batting consistency will be key.

In summary, Shivam Dube's match-winning 66 and Varun Chakravarthy's 3/14 propelled India to a 17-run triumph over Netherlands, capping a perfect group stage. Unbeaten at 4-0, India now eyes Super 8 success amid top-order tweaks.

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