The Men in Blue have wrapped up their group stage campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with yet another commanding performance, defeating the Netherlands by 17 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 18. With this victory, India remain undefeated in the tournament, heading into the Super Eights brimming with confidence and momentum.
It was a day filled with high-energy cricket, tactical changes, and a few dramatic moments, not least for India’s Abhishek Sharma, who endured a third consecutive duck in the tournament. The left-handed opener’s struggles continued as he was bowled for zero on the third ball of the match by Dutch off-spinner Aryan Dutt. Dutt delivered a back-of-a-length ball that skidded in, and Abhishek’s attempted slog only resulted in his leg stump being uprooted. For the young southpaw, it’s been a World Cup to forget so far, having registered ducks against the USA and Pakistan as well, and missing the Namibia clash due to a stomach infection that saw him hospitalized in New Delhi.
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, who won his first toss in four matches, opted to bat first—a decision reflecting both a desire to test his batters and to prepare the bowlers for a possible dew factor in their upcoming Super Eights encounter against South Africa. "We are going to bat first. It looks like a good surface. We want to put runs on the board and put some pressure on the bowlers to defend the total. The mood in the camp is really good and they are playing the brand of cricket I want them to play. Every game, someone is putting their hand up and that is good to see. We have two changes—Arshdeep comes in for Kuldeep, Axar is resting and Washington comes in," Suryakumar said at the toss.
India’s playing XI saw two changes: left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh replaced Kuldeep Yadav, and offspin allrounder Washington Sundar came in for Axar Patel, who was rested. The lineup featured Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh.
The Netherlands, already eliminated from contention after winning just one of their previous three matches, made a single change, strengthening their batting by bringing in Noah Croes for fast bowler Fred Klaasen. Their playing XI comprised Michael Levitt, Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (wicketkeeper and captain), Zach Lion-Cachet, Noah Croes, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, and Kyle Klein.
On a pitch described as one of the best batting surfaces of the tournament, India’s top and middle order set about their task with intent. Despite the early setback of losing Abhishek Sharma, the Men in Blue posted an imposing 193 for 6 in their 20 overs. The star with the bat was Shivam Dube, who hammered a quickfire fifty and gave the innings real impetus in the middle overs. Rinku Singh chipped in with some lusty blows as well, including a six over deep square leg in the final over. The Dutch bowlers, Aryan Dutt and Logan van Beek, managed to keep things somewhat in check, picking up two and three wickets respectively, but India’s depth and aggression shone through.
In response, the Netherlands put up a spirited fight, finishing on 176 for 7 in their 20 overs. Bas de Leede top-scored for the Dutch with 33, but the real highlight was the seventh-wicket partnership of 47 runs between Zach Lion-Cachet and Noah Croes. Their late flourish brought a sense of excitement to the closing stages, as the required run rate climbed and boundaries started to flow. A four off the final ball by Logan van Beek gave the Dutch a respectable finish, even in defeat.
India’s bowlers were tested, but Varun Chakaravarthy emerged as the pick of the attack, claiming three wickets and breaking key partnerships just as they started to threaten. Shivam Dube, not content with his batting exploits, also chipped in with two wickets, demonstrating his all-round value. Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar each contributed with tight overs, though the Dutch batters were able to find the fence regularly enough to keep the contest interesting.
There were moments of drama in the field as well—catches went down, fielders collided, and the crowd was kept on its toes. At one point, Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh nearly collided going for a catch, and Tilak Varma spilled another at deep cover. But Washington Sundar made amends by holding on to a crucial catch to dismiss Lion-Cachet, while Varun Chakaravarthy’s sharp bowling kept the Dutch from building a game-changing partnership.
For the Netherlands, the tournament ends with a mix of pride and disappointment. While they were unable to progress to the Super Eights, their performances—particularly the fight shown against a heavyweight like India—will give them plenty to build on. Bas de Leede’s consistency and the lower-order resilience shown by Lion-Cachet and Croes highlighted the growing strength of associate cricket nations.
India, meanwhile, have plenty to celebrate. Four wins from four in the group stage, a settled core, and several players finding form at the right time. The only real question mark remains at the top of the order, with Abhishek Sharma’s run of ducks now a talking point. Yet, the depth and flexibility in the squad, as evidenced by the seamless inclusion of Arshdeep Singh and Washington Sundar, mean that the team can adapt quickly as the stakes get higher.
The Narendra Modi Stadium once again lived up to its reputation as a premier venue for high-scoring T20 cricket, with the pitch offering value for shots and encouraging aggressive play. The crowd, never short on enthusiasm, was treated to a festival of runs, wickets, and some nervy moments as the Dutch threatened to pull off a late upset.
Looking ahead, India’s focus shifts to the Super Eights, where tougher challenges await and the margin for error shrinks considerably. The bowlers will need to be sharp, especially if dew becomes a factor in the evening games, and the top order will be keen to find their rhythm early. For now, though, the Men in Blue can savor a flawless group stage and the knowledge that they’re peaking at just the right time.
As the sun set over Ahmedabad, the Indian team walked off the field with heads held high, undefeated and full of belief. The Netherlands, despite bowing out, leave with their pride intact and a few memorable moments to cherish. The road to the T20 World Cup crown only gets tougher from here, but India have shown they’re ready for whatever comes next.