Dube played a momentum changing knock before Varun Chakravarthy produced another incisive spell to set up India’s convincing 17-run victory in the T20 World Cup. A dominant all-round display guided India to a 17-run win over the Netherlands, sealing an unbeaten finish in Group A of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday.
India posted a strong total of 193/6 and then held their nerve to restrict the Dutch to 176/7 in 20 overs, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the tournament.
Bas de Leede was the highest scorer for the Netherlands with 33, as their batters fought hard until the final over.
Earlier, Dube’s explosive 66 off just 31 balls powered India to a commanding total. Abhishek Sharma endured a third straight duck, but contributions from Ishan Kishan (18), Tilak Varma (31), and Suryakumar Yadav (34) kept the scoreboard ticking.
Dube then combined with Hardik Pandya (30) for a crucial 76-run partnership for the fifth wicket. For the Netherlands, Aryan Dutt was the standout bowler with figures of 2/19.
ALSO READ: Ramadan Sehri, Iftar and Roza Dua you should recite this holy month — Meaning, significance and full translation
India vs Netherlands: Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Dube shineDespite early setbacks against off-spinner Aryan Dutt, India recovered to post a competitive 193/6, thanks largely to a blistering 66 off 31 balls from Shivam Dube in the latter half of the innings.
The Netherlands were always chasing the game, and Varun Chakravarthy effectively sealed their fate with figures of 3/14 in three overs. The mystery spinner struck in both the powerplay and middle overs, attacking the stumps relentlessly. In the 13th over, he removed Colin Ackermann and Dutt off successive deliveries, reducing the Netherlands to 94/4.
Soon after, a well-set Bas de Leede and captain Scott Edwards departed, extinguishing hopes for the associate side, who ended their campaign with three defeats and one win. Late resistance from Zach Lion-Cachet (26* off 16) and Noah Croes (25* off 12) added some drama, including an 18-run 19th over off Hardik Pandya, but the target proved too steep.
With an eye on tougher contests ahead, captain Suryakumar Yadav handed the final over to Dube instead of Jasprit Bumrah. Despite two dropped catches, Dube successfully defended 28 runs in the final over as the Netherlands finished at 176/7.
India, overwhelming title favourites, now move into the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup unbeaten from Group A and will face South Africa national cricket team next. However, their vulnerability against spin remains an area of concern.
ALSO READ: Sahil Dhaneshra’s ‘my $1000,000 year’ unfulfilled dream, UK plans and a dream house: How Delhi Scorpio accident crushed future hopes of 23-year-old
Opting to bat, India hoped for a turnaround from Abhishek Sharma, but the left-hander suffered his third consecutive duck in his maiden ICC event. Earlier league games had exposed India to quality spin from Gerhard Erasmus, Usman Qadir, and Saim Ayub, and on Wednesday, Dutt once again troubled the star-studded batting line-up.
Dutt, who often opens the bowling, delivered three powerplay overs to counter the left-handed trio of Abhishek, Ishan Kishan (18 off 7), and Tilak Varma (31 off 27). Abhishek fell attempting a pull shot, while Kishan was dismissed in bizarre fashion, deflecting the ball onto his stumps off his thigh and elbow.
Tilak began confidently with a straight six off Logan van Beek, but fell in the ninth over, with 41-year-old Roelof van der Merwe taking a stunning catch at long-off. India were fortunate not to lose another wicket when Michael Levitt dropped a straightforward chance off van Beek with Suryakumar on 13.
Struggling at 74/3 after 10 overs, India needed momentum, and Dube provided it emphatically. Launching six towering sixes—mostly through the cow corner region—he transformed the innings. Initially tested by Dutt, Dube soon cleared his front leg to unleash freely. His 76-run partnership with Hardik in the final five overs, which yielded 75 runs, propelled India to a commanding total.
(With PTI inputs)