India vs Netherlands T20 clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 delivered a strong performance from India as they continued their unbeaten momentum in the tournament.
On 18 February 2026, India played their final Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India. With a place in the Super 8s already secured, India entered the game aiming to maintain their perfect start to the tournament and finish the group stage unbeaten India vs Netherlands T20
India won the toss and chose to bat first, confident in their ability to post a big total on a flat and friendly batting pitch. The decision was backed by their recent dominant form in the competition
India’s Innings: Power and Persistence
The Men in Blue started aggressively, but also faced early resistance from the Dutch bowlers. Opening batter Abhishek Sharma endured a tough day, being dismissed for a duck, marking his third consecutive zero in the tournament.
However, India’s innings found its rhythm through some strong partnerships and timely acceleration, particularly from Shivam Dube, who played the innings of the night. Dube smashed a quickfire 66 off 31 balls, including powerful boundaries and sixes that swung the momentum firmly back in India’s favour.
Support came from Suryakumar Yadav, whose calculated 34 added depth to the total, while late runs from Hardik Pandya helped India reach a competitive score. By the end of their 20 overs, India had posted 193/6 – a challenging target for any chasing side.
Netherlands’ Chase: Fight and Finesse
Chasing 194 to win, the Netherlands began steadily, with veteran players like Bas de Leede and Max O’Dowd showing class in the middle overs. De Leede top-scored for the Dutch with a gritty 33, anchoring occasional partnerships and keeping the required run rate within reach for a good portion of their innings.
Yet, India’s bowling attack tightened their lines in the middle overs. Varun Chakaravarthy spun webs around the Dutch batsmen, finishing with a superb 3/14, while Dube himself chipped in with two crucial wickets to destabilize the chase India vs Netherlands T20.
Despite flashes of aggression and lower-order resistance, the Netherlands could only muster 176/7 in their 20 overs. India’s disciplined bowling and tactical field settings ultimately held the Dutch side at bay.
Final Score:
• India — 193/6 (20 overs)
• Netherlands — 176/7 (20 overs)
India won by 17 runs.
Player of the Match: Shivam Dube — for his all-round star performance with both bat and ball
The victory meant India finished the Group A stage unbeaten, sweeping all their matches and entering the Super 8s with full confidence and momentum.
Strategic Takeaways
- India’s batting depth and power hitting proved too strong for the Netherlands on a big ground like the Narendra Modi Stadium.
- The Dutch team fought bravely and showed excellent cricketing temperament, especially in phases of their chase, but fell short against India’s all-round firepower.
- India’s bowling, especially through spin and variations in the death overs, showcased tactical acumen under pressure.
What It Means Going Forward
This result not only reaffirmed India’s status as one of the favorites in the tournament but also highlighted areas of consistency and adaptability across both batting and bowling units as they prepare for tougher challenges ahead in the Super 8 stage.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands, although eliminated from the next round, gained valuable experience competing against strong teams and showed that associate nations can pose tough contests on their day.