India officially concluded their T20 World Cup 2026 group stage with a perfect record, defeating the Netherlands by 17 runs in a high-scoring encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium on February 18, 2026. This victory marks India’s fourth consecutive win in Group A, as they head into the Super 8s with immense momentum as the only undefeated team in their pool. With this result, India clinches the top spot in Group A, effectively ending the first phase of their title defense with clinical precision in front of a massive Ahmedabad crowd.
T20 World Cup 2026: Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya’s destructive finish powers India to 193
The narrative of the Indian innings was completely rewritten by Shivam Dube, who produced a career-best 66 off just 31 balls to propel the team from a shaky start to a formidable 193/6. Arriving at the crease after the early departures of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, Dube initially played a supporting role before unleashing a savage assault that featured six towering maximums into the mid-wicket stands.
Dube found a perfect partner in Hardik Pandya, who contributed a quick-fire 30 off 21 balls, and together they orchestrated a 76-run partnership that plundered 75 runs in the final five overs alone. Dube reached his maiden T20 World Cup fifty in just 25 deliveries, showcasing his immense value as a spin-basher by targeting Roelof van der Merwe and Aryan Dutt for massive hits.
Despite the Netherlands’ early success through Aryan, who claimed 2/19 including the prized wicket of the struggling Abhishek, the Dutch bowlers were eventually overwhelmed by the sheer power of India’s middle order. The late-innings surge, punctuated by a final-over six from Rinku Singh, ensured India posted a total well beyond the average score for the venue, leaving the opposition with a mountain to climb under the Ahmedabad lights.
Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah choke Netherlands chase to secure perfect record
Defending a target of 194, the Indian bowling unit delivered a clinical performance to restrict the Netherlands to 166/9, ensuring the 17-run victory was never truly in doubt. The breakthrough came via Varun Chakaravarthy, who continued his exceptional tournament form by taking 3/21, including two wickets in two balls to derail the Dutch middle order just as they looked to accelerate.
While Michael Levitt (24) and Bas de Leede (33) provided brief resistance, the relentless pressure from Jasprit Bumrah at the death, who famously castled Scott Edwards with a searing yorker, proved impossible to navigate. Hardik Pandya also made a significant contribution with the ball, picking up the wicket of Levitt early in his spell to ensure the Netherlands never got the “powerplay boost” they desperately needed.
Even though the Dutch tail wagged slightly in the final two overs, picking up 18 runs off Pandya’s penultimate over, the required rate had already climbed into the impossible territory of 28 for the final six balls. Shivam maintained his composure in the final over to seal the win, allowing India to sign off from Group A with eight points and a massive boost to their net run rate before facing South Africa in the Super 8s.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Fantastic to watch Free flowing cricket by Shivam Dube. Game changing innings under pressure.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 18, 2026
Team India’s Winning run continues. Shivam Dube has become a very important part of their power hitting set up. He has played some crucial cameos in big games but today he got the opportunities to play longer inning, he played beautifully.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 18, 2026
India take the win, but credit where it is due. Netherlands showed real fight and stayed in the contest till the very end. Impressive temperament on the big stage. 👏 #INDvsNED
— Nigel D’Souza (@Nigel__DSouza) February 18, 2026
Match defining innings, Shivam Dube, when the team was dube dube
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 18, 2026
Shivam Dube, thanks for keeping cricket alive.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 18, 2026
Shivam Dube has taken over the mantle of being the buccaneer of this Indian batting. #IndvsNed #ICCMensT20WorldCup
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 18, 2026
Shivam Dube has got some Caribbean power 💀🥶
— Kevin (@imkevin149) February 18, 2026
– Beat USA.
– Beat Namibia.
– Beat Pakistan.
– Beat Netherlands.TOTAL DOMINANCE BY INDIA – UNBEATEN IN GROUP STAGE BY SURYA ARMY…!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/igWt1Lk4bO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 18, 2026
Netherlands scoring 176 against india is concerning,indian team has serious work to do. In terms of batting and fielding Team Netherlands we’re phenomenal.Associate nations have really surprised the world.Full member teams need to play bilateral series with them#T20WorldCup2026
— Ishaan (@Ishaan071007) February 18, 2026
66 runs and 2 crucial wickets, Shivam Dube is the definition of an impact player 🌟#ShivamDube #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/lCAxnLrOPF
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 18, 2026
