India officially concluded their t20 world cup 2026 Defeated with perfect record in group stage Netherlands By 17 runs in a high-scoring encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium on February 18, 2026. The win is India’s fourth consecutive win in Group A, as they enter the Super 8s with tremendous momentum as the only undefeated team in their pool. With this result, India secured the top spot in Group A, and effectively ended the first leg of their title defense with clinical accuracy in front of a huge Ahmedabad crowd.
T20 World Cup 2026: Shivam Dubey and Hardik Pandya’s devastating innings take India to 193
Indian innings story completely rewritten Shivam DubeyWho played a career best inning of 66 runs in just 31 balls and took the team from a bad start to a strong score of 193/6. Reached the crease after the early dismissal of Abhishek Sharma And Ishan KishanDubey initially played a supporting role before carrying out a ferocious attack, which included six huge maximums in the mid-wicket stand.
Dubey found an ideal partner hardik pandyaWho contributed a quickfire inning of 30 runs in 21 balls and together they made a partnership of 76 runs, conceding 75 runs in the last five overs alone. Dube brought up his maiden T20 World Cup fifty in just 25 balls, showcasing his immense value as a spin-basher by scoring 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 ultimately overwhelmed by the strength of India’s middle order. Bounce at the end of the innings, stopped by six in the last over Rinku SinghThis ensured that India posted a score well above the average score for the venue, leaving the opposition with a tough time climbing under the Ahmedabad lights.
Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah chase Netherlands to achieve perfect record
Defending the target of 194 runs, the Indian bowling unit performed brilliantly by restricting the Netherlands to 166/9, ensuring that a 17-run victory was never in doubt. got success Varun ChakrabortyWho continued his exceptional tournament form by taking 3/21, which included two wickets in two balls, derailing the Dutch middle order as they tried to gain momentum.
Whereas Michael Levitt (24) and bass de leade (33) provided brief resistance, constant pressure Jasprit Bumrah at the time of his death, who famously built the palace Scott Edwards With sharp yorkers, it proved impossible to navigate. hardik pandya Also made important contributions with the ball, taking the wicket of Levitt early in his spell and ensuring that the Netherlands never got the “powerplay boost” they so desperately needed.
Even though the Dutch team faltered a bit in the final two overs and Pandya scored 18 runs in the final over, the required rate off the last six balls had already reached the impossible territory of 28. Shivam maintained his composure in the final over to seal the win as India exit Group A with eight points and a massive increase in their net run rate ahead of facing South Africa in the Super 8.
Here’s how fans reacted:
By Shivam Dubey Free flowing cricket is great to watch. The innings of the game is changing under pressure.
– Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) 18 February 2026
Team India’s winning streak continues. Shivam Dubey has become a very important part of their power hitting set. He has played some important cameos in big matches but today he got a chance to play a long innings, he played beautifully.
– Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) 18 February 2026
India won, but credit will go where it is due. Netherlands showed real fight and remained in the competition till the end. Impressive nature on the big stage. 👏 #INDvsNED
– Nigel D’Souza (@Nigel__DSouza) 18 February 2026
The decisive innings of the match, Shivam Dubey, when the team was Dubey Dubey
– Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) 18 February 2026
Shivam Dubey, thank you for keeping cricket alive.
– Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) 18 February 2026
Shivam Dubey has taken charge of becoming the leader of Indian batting. #IndvsNed #ICCMensT20WorldCup
– Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) 18 February 2026
Shivam Dubey has some Caribbean power 💀🥶
– Kevin (@imkevin149) 18 February 2026
– Defeated USA.
– Defeated Namibia.
– Defeated Pakistan.
– Defeated Netherlands.India’s total dominance – undefeated by Surya Sena in group stage…!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/igWt1Lk4bO
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 18 February 2026
Netherlands scoring 176 runs against India is worrying, the Indian team has to work seriously. Team Netherlands we are phenomenal in terms of batting and fielding. The Allies have truly taken the world by surprise. Full member teams need to play bilateral series with them#T20WorldCup2026
– Ishaan (@Ishaan071007) 18 February 2026
66 runs and 2 important wickets, Shivam Dubey is the definition of an impressive player#ShivamDubey #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/lCAxnLrOPF
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 18 February 2026
