India officially concluded T20 World Cup 2026 With a perfect record, beating the group stage The Netherlands By 17 runs in a high-scoring match at the Narendra Modi Stadium on 18 February 2026. The win marks India’s fourth in a row in Group A as they head into the Super 8s with great momentum as the only unbeaten team in their pool. With this result, India top Group A, effectively ending the first leg of their title defense with clinical precision in front of a huge Ahmedabad crowd.
T20 World Cup 2026: Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya’s devastating finish lifts India to 193
The Indian innings story has been completely rewritten by Shivam DubeyA career-best 66 off 31 balls lifted the team from a shaky start to a magnificent 193/6. Coming to the crease after early departures Abhishek Sharma and Ishan KishiDube initially played a supporting role before unleashing a wild onslaught that featured a six-strong maximum in the middle of the stands.
Dube found the perfect partner Hardik PandyaThey put on a 76-run partnership, firing a quick 30 off 21 balls and together plundering 75 runs in the last five overs alone. Dube reached his maiden T20 World Cup 50 off just 25 deliveries and showed his immense value as a spin-basher by targeting the target. Roelof van der Merwe and Aryan Dutt for massive hits.
Despite early success for the Netherlands 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 Rinku SinghLeaving the opposition with a mountain to climb under the Ahmedabad lights, India secured a well above average score for the venue.
Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah smothered the Netherlands to ensure a perfect record
Defending a target of 194, the Indian bowling unit produced a clinical performance to restrict the Netherlands to 166/9 and ensure that the 17-run victory was never in doubt. It came by leaps and bounds Varun ChakrabortyContinuing his exceptional tournament form by taking 3/21, including two wickets in two balls, to derail the Dutch middle order as they look to accelerate.
while Michael Levitt (24) and Bas de Leede (33) resisted briefly, exerted relentless pressure jasprit bumrah at the moment of death, whose famous castle Scott Edwards Navigation with a red yorker proved impossible. Hardik Pandya He made a significant contribution with the ball, taking the wicket of Levitt early in his spell to ensure Holland never got a much-needed “power play boost”.
Although the Dutch tail wobbled a bit in the last two overs, Pandya’s 18 runs in the penultimate over had already reached the improbable 28-run area off the last six balls, the required pace. Shivam kept his cool in the final over to seal the win, allowing India to exit Group A with eight points and significantly increase their net run rate ahead of their Super 8 clash with South Africa.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Watching free streaming cricket by Shivam Dube is fantastic. A game changer under pressure.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 18, 2026
The winning streak of the Indian team continues. Shivam Dube has become a very important part of their power hitting setup. He made some important cameos in big games but got opportunities to play longer innings today, played beautifully.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 18, 2026
India take the win, but give credit where it’s due. Holland showed real fight and stayed in the race until the 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
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 18, 2026
Thank you Shivam Dube for keeping cricket alive.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 18, 2026
Shivam Dube has taken up the mantle of being the pirate of this Indian batting. #IndvsNed #ICCMensT20 World Cup
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 18, 2026
Shivam Dube has some Caribbean power 💀🥶
— Kevin (@imkevin149) February 18, 2026
– He defeated the USA.
– Defeated Namibia.
– Defeated Pakistan.
– Defeated the Netherlands.COMPLETE DOMINATION OF INDIA – UNDEFEATED IN GROUP STAGE BY SYRIA ARMY…!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/igWt1Lk4bO
– Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 18, 2026
Holland’s score of 176 against India is worrying, the Indian team has some serious work to do. With Team Holland, we are phenomenal in terms of batting and fielding. Associate countries have truly amazed the world. Full member teams must 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
Also READ: IND vs NED: Fans shocked as Abhishek Sharma celebrates third consecutive duck in T20 World Cup 2026
