HIGHLIGHTS India vs Netherlands, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, 36 T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the chase! The Indian players are in a huddle before spreading out and taking their respective field positions. Michael Levitt and Max O'Dowd are the two openers for Netherlands. Arshdeep Singh to start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Powerplay promise, death-over pain - The Netherlands started well, especially Aryan Dutt, who removed both openers in the Powerplay. They also held their own through the middle overs, apart from a dropped chance by Michael Levitt that proved a bit costly. Bas de Leede was wicketless but economical, but the momentum swung when Roelof van der Merwe bowled the 16th over and went for 15, handing the initiative back to India. Logan van Beek picked up a three-fer and Kyle Klein took one, but their death-over execution let them down once again. Now, their batters face an uphill task against a strong Indian bowling attack. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

Dube unleashes after a shaky start- India lost Abhishek Sharma again, still without a run in this World Cup, while Kishan failed to convert his start. Captain SKY and Tilak steadied the innings as they did against Pakistan, but both fell in their 30s. However, Shivam Dube then provided the impetus with a smashing 66 off 31, his career-best in T20Is, including six towering sixes, while Pandya chipped in with another quick cameo and Rinku flexed his muscles with a big hit in the final over.

Big finish puts India in control - A fine batting display from India sees them put a commanding total on the board. Netherlands had their moments, but their death bowling came back to haunt them, leaking 75 runs in the final five overs.

Logan van Beek to Hardik Pandya, OUT! CAUGHT! A wicket to end the innings! Full and wide on off, Hardik Pandya reaches out and loses his shape in the process. Slices it off the outer half of the blade towards wide long off, where Roelof van der Merwe moves to his left and takes a good catch. India finish with 193/6 on the board!

Logan van Beek to Rinku Singh, The batters sneak in a bye. Off-cutter, going across. Rinku thinks it is too high and he lets it go. The ball is below his head and it goes on the bounce to the keeper. Hardik Pandya calls him through for a bye. Scott Edwards feels that he can run upto the stumps and effect the run out. Edwards breaks the stumps but Hardik is home by then.

Logan van Beek to Rinku Singh, SIX! That nearly hit the display car! Off-cutter, on a length, on middle and leg. Rinku bends and gets under the ball. He swipes it over square leg for a six.

Logan van Beek to Rinku Singh, Did that brush something? Full and around leg, Rinku crouches for the sweep but fails to connect. Half a shout for caught behind by Scott Edwards but nothing doing. Looked like the ball brushed the pads.

Rinku Singh comes out to the middle now.

Logan van Beek to Shivam Dube, OUT! CAUGHT! Excellent catch by the sub fielder! Logan van Beek digs it in short at the bodyline of the batter. Dube pivots on the back foot for the pull but gets more of a top edge. It flies all the way down to long leg, where the sub fielder, Timm van der Gugten, takes the catch over his head. He realises that he is going over the ropes and gets rid of the ball by tossing it up. He, then, comes back into the field of play and grabs it with ease to his left. End of a top knock by Shivam.

Gone? Shivam Dube has been asked to wait as the umpires check the catch.

Logan van Beek to Shivam Dube, SIX! Perfect start to the over for India! Logan van Beek just misses his yorker and bowls a low full toss, on middle. Shivam Dube clears his front leg and looks to slog it away but gets it from the bottom of the bat. However, he still gets enough power to send it over the wide long on fence for a biggie. He moves to 66, his highest score in T20Is.

Logan van Beek will bowl the last over. 200 is still on the cards for India.

Kyle Klein to Hardik Pandya, On a back of a length, outside off, Hardik drags it off the back foot to the right of long on for a couple of runs. 21 runs off the 19th over.

Kyle Klein to Hardik Pandya, SIX! All the way! Not an easy shot to play but Hardik pulls it off. Kyle Klein bowls it short, off-pace ball. He gets it high enough this time to trouble the batter but Pandya is equal to the task. He arches back slightly and slaps it over long off for a six. The long-off fielder for a moment thought he was in business, but could only watch it sail over his head.

Kyle Klein to Hardik Pandya, Good comeback from Klein! Nails the yorker, on off, Pandya cannot get under it and digs it out to mid-wicket.

Kyle Klein to Hardik Pandya, SIX! That has gone back many a mile! Klein takes the pace off and goes into the deck. This sits up to be hit, around off. Hardik hangs deep in the crease and flat-bats it over long on for a biggie. 6,000 T20 runs for Hardik.

Kyle Klein to Shivam Dube, Full, on middle, Shivam gets the front leg out of the way and whips it aerially towards deep mid-wicket. Klein and Dube exchange smiles as the latter jogs across to the other end to complete a run.

Kyle Klein to Shivam Dube, FOUR! Dube gets it away this time! Very full, at the toes, Shivam gets his bat down and flicks it between short fine leg and deep square leg. A wry smile on the face of Klein as just before this ball, he brought the man at fine leg up.

Kyle Klein to Shivam Dube, Wide! Full and down leg again, Dube misses out on the glance.

Kyle Klein has called in for the physio. He pulled up before bowling the first delivery and is looking in some discomfort here. Hopefully, it is just cramps, and he is ready to give it a go again.

Kyle Klein to Shivam Dube, Wide! Kyle Klein is struggling. He pulled out once before delivering, and on the second go, he sprays it down leg. Dube lets it go. The 50-run stand comes up in 27 balls.

Netherlands have pulled things back a bit with that over, but need to finish well in the last two now. It is Kyle Klein who will bowl the penultimate over. His figures so far read 3-0-17-0.

Bas de Leede to Hardik Pandya, Just 6 runs off the over! The Dutch will take it with both hands at this stage of the game. On a hard length, wide on off. Hardik reaches out and ends up bunting it to point. A wicketless but economical outing for de Leede. He ends with figures of 4-0-28-0.

Bas de Leede to Shivam Dube, Slower and shorter, on middle. Dube plays a controlled pull through square leg for a single.

Bas de Leede to Shivam Dube, FOUR! Nicely done! Short and over middle, Dube waits for the slower ball to arrive and gets his hands high. He rolls his wrists over the ball and pulls it behind square leg for a four.

Bas de Leede to Hardik Pandya, Shorter and pace off, outside off, Hardik drags it to long on for a single.

Bas de Leede to Hardik Pandya, Loses his shape! Bas de Leede keeps it wide, on a short of a length, pace off. Hardik swings himself off his feet and miscues it to short third.

Bas de Leede to Hardik Pandya, Nearly trickled back onto the stumps! On a back of a length, outside off, Pandya goes a bit too hard on the cut. Gets an inside edge and it rolls behind the stumps.

Bas de Leede (3-0-22-0) to bowl out now.

Logan van Beek to Shivam Dube, FOUR! That will be FIFTY for Shivam Dube in 25 balls! His knock has come at the right time for India. Full and going across the left-hander, Shivam does not move his feet at all and just extends his hands into the shot. He powers the drive all along the ground and the ball speeds across the turf to beat the diving fielder at long off to his right. His teammates are up on their feet in the dugout and he acknowledges them with a raise of the bat. 20 from the over, 35 off the last two.

Logan van Beek to Shivam Dube, SIX! Clean as a whistle! Logan van Beek dishes out the off-cutter, on the fuller side, outside off. Dube just holds his shape and swings through the line of the ball. The follow-through of the bat swing almost catches him on the back. Shivam tonks it way over long on for his fifth six.

Logan van Beek to Hardik Pandya, Slower, short ball, on off, Pandya gets on his toes and pulls it to deep square leg for another single.

Logan van Beek to Shivam Dube, Skidding through, full and wide on off, Dube is made to reach out and he carves it to deep cover. A bit of a misfield in the deep but that does not cost the Dutch any extra run.

Interesting graphic shown by the broadcaster - When the Dutch bowlers have bowled pace on, the economy rate has been 8.6, while the slower balls have been far more effective, with an economy rate of just 3.8. However, the challenge for them now will be to be unpredictable to the batters.

Logan van Beek to Shivam Dube, SIX! Massive hit! Logan van Beek bashes the surface, on off. Dube picks the off-cutter and waits on the back foot. He stands tall and pulls it over deep square leg for a six. A bit too predictable from van Beek. He needs to mix it up.

Logan van Beek to Shivam Dube, Wide! Wayward from van Beek. This is sprayed well wide on off.

Logan van Beek to Hardik Pandya, In the channel, on a good length, Hardik stands on the off stump and punches it to deep cover for a run.

A 15-run over and India have gained a bit of momentum going into the last four overs. Logan van Beek (2-0-24-1) comes back into the attack.

Roelof van der Merwe to Hardik Pandya, Another ball bowled full and quick, on off, this is hit to long off for a single.

Roelof van der Merwe to Hardik Pandya, SIX! Into the crowd! Roelof van der Merwe tries to fire it in but fails to get it full enough to sneak the ball under the blade. Right in the slot, on middle. Pandya gets down on a knee and smokes it over deep mid-wicket with a slog sweep.

Roelof van der Merwe to Shivam Dube, Nearly a yorker, on off, Shivam jams it out to long off and crosses over.

Roelof van der Merwe to Shivam Dube, SIX! A gift and Dube accepts it gleefully. First boundary after 16 balls, says Nasser Hussain. Full toss just below the waist, across off. Shivam takes full toll as he parks it beyond the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Roelof van der Merwe to Hardik Pandya, Fuller and darted in by Roelof van der Merwe, Pandya drills it back past the bowler but it is cut off by the man placed a straightish long off. Just a single.

Roelof van der Merwe to Hardik Pandya, Speared in, on a length, outside off. Hardik flashes at it but ends up chopping it to cover.

Roelof van der Merwe comes into the attack. A change of bat for Hardik Pandya.

Bas de Leede to Hardik Pandya, Back-to-back 5-run overs from the Dutch! This is on a good length and on off, Hardik Pandya flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Bas de Leede to Shivam Dube, Pitched up and around off, Shivam Dube drives it to long off for one.

Bas de Leede to Hardik Pandya, Lands this back of a length and on off, takes pace off. Hardik Pandya steps across and steers it through point for another run.

Bas de Leede to Shivam Dube, Another slower one, touch fuller and on off, Shivam Dube drills it towards long off for a run.

Bas de Leede to Hardik Pandya, Short of a length and outside off, Hardik Pandya cuts it to deep point for a single.

Bas de Leede to Hardik Pandya, Slower delivery, full and on off, Hardik Pandya pushes it to short cover.

Kyle Klein to Hardik Pandya, Hard length and outside off, takes pace off, Hardik Pandya punches it to sweeper cover for one more. Just 5 runs and a big wicket from the over!

Kyle Klein to Shivam Dube, Short of a length and around off, Shivam Dube pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Kyle Klein to Hardik Pandya, Fuller and on middle, Hardik Pandya shows the full face of the bat and plays a sweet straight drive to long on for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! A timely breakthrough for the Dutch. Just as India were beginning to put their foot down, the Netherlands have struck back, and no one will be more relieved than Michael Levitt, who dropped SKY when he was on 13. Aryan Dutt has completed his four overs and was a cut above the rest. With him done, the others will need to step up. They will know that with India's batting depth, they must keep chipping away at the wickets if they are to stall the charge. Hardik Pandya makes his way out to the centre.

Kyle Klein to Suryakumar Yadav, OUT! CAUGHT! Kyle Klein strikes and gets rid of the Indian skipper now. He goes fuller this time, angling into the pads. Suryakumar Yadav knows this is there to be put away and whips it, but he just fails to get enough elevation on the shot. Timm van der Gugten (sub) is stationed at the long leg region and does not even have to move an inch as the ball goes straight to him and he gobbles it up with ease. SKY stands there in disbelief but has to walk back.

Kyle Klein to Suryakumar Yadav, Hits the length hard and around middle, Suryakumar Yadav stays back and flicks it away with excellent timing. Max O'Dowd from deep mid-wicket runs to his left and slides to make a fine stop. Saves a couple of runs for his team.

Kyle Klein to Suryakumar Yadav, Good length and on off, Suryakumar Yadav opens the face of his bat and guides it but straight to backward point.

Colin Ackermann to Suryakumar Yadav, Shorter and around off, Suryakumar Yadav pats it through covers for a single. A highly productive over for India, 19 runs off it.

Colin Ackermann to Shivam Dube, Gets the yorker right, on off, Shivam Dube digs it out to long off for one.

Colin Ackermann to Shivam Dube, WIDE! Fires this one full but down the leg side, Shivam Dube lets it go.

Colin Ackermann to Shivam Dube, SIX! Up, up and away! Flighted delivery, full and on middle and leg. Shivam Dube once again gets his front foot out of the way. He slogs it with a lovely swing of the bat and the ball sails over the deep mid-wicket fence for another biggie. 100 up for India.

Colin Ackermann to Shivam Dube, FOUR! Gets it through! Colin Ackermann tries the yorker again but just misses it, serves it full and around off. Shivam Dube manages to get underneath it this time and thrashes it through extra covers for a boundary. On air, Michael Atherton quips that it looks like the handbrake has finally been released.

Colin Ackermann to Shivam Dube, Flatter and right in the blockhole, on off, Shivam Dube jams it out to short cover.

Colin Ackermann to Shivam Dube, SIX! Shivam Dube gets into the act now! Floated delivery, full and angling into leg. Dube clears his front leg away and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more.

Scott Edwards turns to Colin Ackermann. 2-0-17-0 so far for the offie.

Bas de Leede to Suryakumar Yadav, SIX! That's a SKY special! Bas de Leede goes fuller but just sprays it on the pads of the batter. Suryakumar Yadav gets inside the line of it, picks it up and deposits it over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie. First boundary in 20 balls.

Bas de Leede to Shivam Dube, Bangs this into the pitch, on off, pace on. Shivam Dube rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep square leg for one more.

Bas de Leede to Suryakumar Yadav, Slower delivery, full and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav whips it away to deep mid-wicket for another run.

Bas de Leede to Shivam Dube, Gets away with it! Hard length but angling into the pads, there to be put away. Shivam Dube flicks it off his hips wide of deep square leg. The fielder is quick to move to his left and dives to keep it down to just one.

Bas de Leede to Suryakumar Yadav, Touch fuller and on middle and leg, Suryakumar Yadav drills it towards long on for a run.

Bas de Leede to Suryakumar Yadav, WIDE! Tries the slower ball, spills this full and way outside off, Suryakumar Yadav leaves it alone. Second wide of the over.

Bas de Leede to Shivam Dube, Short of a length and around off, Shivam Dube makes a bit of room and slaps it but cannot beat sweeper cover. A single taken.

Bas de Leede to Shivam Dube, WIDE! Back of a length but angling down the leg side, Shivam Dube lifts his hands and lets it go to the keeper. Wided.

Aryan Dutt to Shivam Dube, Drops it short and on middle, Shivam Dube clips it through mid-wicket for a single. Aryan Dutt finishes a fantastic spell of bowling with figures of 4-0-19-2.

Aryan Dutt to Shivam Dube, A big shout for LBW, but turned down! This is closer than the previous ball and Scott Edwards takes the review here. Aryan Dutt bowls another arm ball, full and on middle, coming in with the arm. Shivam Dube should have been on the front foot but stays back to work it across the line. He misses and gets hit on the back pad. The UltraEdge shows that there is no bat involved, and the Ball Tracking comes up as umpire's call, with the ball clipping the leg stump. Dube survives a big scare here.

Aryan Dutt to Shivam Dube, Three dots in a row now! Fires this one full and sliding down the leg side, skids through. Shivam Dube misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.

Aryan Dutt to Shivam Dube, Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Shivam Dube knocks it to the left of the bowler.

Aryan Dutt to Shivam Dube, Flatter, full and on middle, turns away a bit, Shivam Dube tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Aryan Dutt to Suryakumar Yadav, Floated, full and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav eases it to long off for a single.

Kyle Klein to Suryakumar Yadav, At the stumps, on a good length, Suryakumar Yadav pushes it to long on for a run.

Kyle Klein to Shivam Dube, On a back of a length, around leg, Shivam turns it through mid-wicket for one.

Kyle Klein to Shivam Dube, Across off, on a good length, punched to mid off by Dube.

Kyle Klein to Suryakumar Yadav, Full and on leg, Suryakumar Yadav clips it to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.

Kyle Klein to Shivam Dube, Just short! Shivam Dube nearly got out in the same fashion as he was dismissed in the first game against the USA. Off-cutter, into the deck, over middle. Shivam swivels on the back foot for the pull but he fails to get on top of the bounce and is undone by the slowness of the delivery. The ball lobs off the gloves, and the keeper, Scott Edwards, moves forward and puts in the dive. The ball drops just short of him and bounces past him. The batters sneak in a quick single before the short third fielder gets rid of the ball.

Kyle Klein to Suryakumar Yadav, On a back of a length, pace off, outside off, Suryakumar Yadav glides it behind point for a single.

A timely wicket for the Dutch. Shivam Dube is the next man in.

Logan van Beek to Tilak Varma, OUT! TAKEN SUPERBLY IN THE DEEP! Logan van Beek eventually gets a wicket in the over. He serves this fuller and well outside off, keeping it away from the batter, and also takes pace off. Tilak Varma tries to reach out and go over covers but ends up slicing it much straighter down to long off. Roelof van der Merwe moves to his right and dives like a goalkeeper, grabbing it with a reverse cup. The 41-year-old veteran is absolutely pumped and so is the Dutch dugout behind him. The 30-run stand has been broken now.

Logan van Beek to Suryakumar Yadav, On a length and on off, Suryakumar Yadav pushes it towards cover for one.

Logan van Beek to Suryakumar Yadav, FOUR! A welcome boundary for India! Logan van Beek sees the batter back away, bangs this short and angling in. Suryakumar Yadav slashes hard and gets an outside edge that flies over the keeper's head for four runs.

Logan van Beek to Tilak Varma, Full and on off, driven to long off for a single.

Logan van Beek to Suryakumar Yadav, DROPPED! Michael Levitt shells it. A lifeline for the Indian skipper. Logan van Beek bangs it in short, on off, Suryakumar hangs deep in the crease and swings across for the pull. It is skied to deep square leg and SKY had given up as the ball went in the air and towards the longer part of the ground. Michael Levitt settles under the skier. He first tried to take it reverse cup before switching to take the catch with his fingers pointing downwards. At the very end, he also takes half a step away from the ball and he has to reach out a bit in front. Eventually, Levitt fails to cling on and the ball drops to the ground.

Logan van Beek to Suryakumar Yadav, Wide! Sprayed down leg, on a short of a length. SKY walks inside the line but fails to get it away.

Logan van Beek to Tilak Varma, Good stop! Angled across off, on a good length, Varma picks it up and hits it behind square leg. Colin Ackermann runs to his left from deep square leg and almost overruns the ball. He sticks out his right hand to prevent the ball from going past him. Just a single.

Logan van Beek comes back into the attack. He conceded 15 runs in his first over.

Bas de Leede to Tilak Varma, Bowled into the surface but pace taken off, outside off. Varma gets on top of it and pulls it to deep square leg for one. A good couple of overs since the end of the Powerplay for the Dutch, 9 runs off the last 12 balls. 17 balls since the last boundary.

Bas de Leede to Suryakumar Yadav, Angled in at the pads, this is jabbed to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bas de Leede to Suryakumar Yadav, On a back of a length, outside off, Suryakumar walks across the stumps and gets down on a knee as well. He tries to access the area behind square with a sweep but the slower ball sneaks under the blade and goes on the bounce to the keeper.

Bas de Leede to Tilak Varma, Takes pace off, does de Leede, full and on off. Varma eases the drive to long off and picks up a single.

Bas de Leede to Tilak Varma, Full and pace on, across off, Tilak reaches out and plays a punchy drive but can't beat backward point.

Bas de Leede to Suryakumar Yadav, Bas de Leede begins with a slower one, on a good length, outside off, Suryakumar lets the ball come to him and steers it to short third. A fumble there allows the batters to pinch in a quick single.

Change? Yes, Bas de Leede has been introduced into the attack.

Colin Ackermann to Suryakumar Yadav, No air given, this is darted in, short and on off, SKY whips it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket. Logan van Beek is quick across the turf to his left and keeps the batters down to a single. Just 5 runs off the over, tidy stuff from Ackermann.

Colin Ackermann to Suryakumar Yadav, Around the off stump, a bit full, Suryakumar stays leg side and extends his hands to guide it to the left of the man at deep point for a couple of runs.

Colin Ackermann to Suryakumar Yadav, Drifting in at the pads, on the shorter side, Suryakumar wrists it to mid-wicket.

Colin Ackermann to Suryakumar Yadav, Keeps it flat and short, on off, SKY makes room and punches it well but picks out extra cover.

Colin Ackermann to Tilak Varma, From around the wicket for the left-hander, short and on middle. Tilak nudges it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Colin Ackermann to Suryakumar Yadav, A bit of turn, on a length, on leg, Yadav brings his bat out in front and knocks it to long on for a run.

DRINKS! Not a bad Powerplay for either side, but India would have liked to lose one less wicket here. This will be a good test for them on how to overcome situations when they lose both openers early. SKY is still taking his time, but Tilak Varma is set and will be looking to take more of the responsibility. Netherlands will be happy with how things are going, but they cannot let their foot down in the middle overs and try to build up some pressure through their spinners. Here is Colin Ackermann to bowl after the break.

Kyle Klein to Suryakumar Yadav, Full and straight, at the sticks, Suryakumar clips it wide of mid on and takes a single. At the end of the Powerplay, India are 51/2.

Kyle Klein to Suryakumar Yadav, Pushes the length up, on middle, SKY pushes it with a straight bat to mid on.

Kyle Klein to Suryakumar Yadav, Attacking the front pad with a good-length ball, Yadav hangs back to cover the line but the ball nips away a touch to square up the Indian captain. The ball squirts off an outside edge to point.

Kyle Klein to Tilak Varma, Not in control but safe! Kyle digs it in short, around the left shoulder. Varma gets on his toes for the pull but he is rushed and the ball gets big on him. The ball comes off the splice of the bat but he manages to clear mid-wicket. They cross. 50 up for India.

Kyle Klein to Suryakumar Yadav, Angled into the hips, on a back of a length, SKY nudges it in front of square leg and turns the strike over.

Kyle Klein to Suryakumar Yadav, FOUR! Kyle Klein is greeted with a lovely boundary. Full and shaping away, outside off, Suryakumar leans on and drives it all along the ground. The ball races across the turf and the sweeper cover is beaten to his right.

Time for some pace. Kyle Klein has been called into the attack.

Aryan Dutt to Tilak Varma, Drags his length back, on off, Tilak Varma knocks it towards mid off.  A bit of a mix-up between the batters but no harm done.

Aryan Dutt to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Good shot! Floated, full and on middle and leg. Tilak Varma flicks it away with incredible timing. He does not look to hit it hard, just places it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.

Aryan Dutt to Tilak Varma, Slows it up, shortish and on leg, Tilak Varma backs away and punches it to short cover.

Aryan Dutt to Suryakumar Yadav, Keeps the stumps in play, on a nagging length, Suryakumar Yadav turns it through square leg and gets off the mark with a single.

In walks the Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav.

Aryan Dutt to Ishan Kishan, OUT! DRAGGED ON! That's a very unlucky way to go, but the Dutch won't mind one bit. Aryan Dutt bowls this short again, quick and angling down the leg side. Ishan Kishan moves back to heave it across the line, but misses his shot. The ball pops up off his pads, hits his bottom hand and then rolls onto the stumps, with one of the bails falling down. He tried to prevent the ball from trickling onto the stumps, but his bat was so high that he could not get it down in time. A big wicket for the Netherlands, and both the Indian openers are back in the hut now.

Aryan Dutt to Ishan Kishan, FOUR! Put away! Shorter in length and around middle. Ishan Kishan picks up the length very early, rocks back and pulls it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Tilak Varma has called for the physio. He felt a twinge in his right knee while getting up after playing the shot. Varma is back on his feet and ready to resume. Aryan Dutt to bowl the third over on the trot. 2-0-8-1 so far for Dutt.

Colin Ackermann to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Easy pickings! Colin Ackermann bowls this flatter, full but down the leg side. Tilak Varma just has to get some bat on it. He gets down for the paddle, gets an underedge that goes past the keeper and races to the fine leg fence for a boundary. Tilak may have done something to his knee and looks in a bit of pain.

Colin Ackermann to Tilak Varma, Fires this one full and angling into the leg side. Tilak Varma now uses his feet to go over the bowler but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Colin Ackermann to Ishan Kishan, Sliding on with the arm, on a length, Ishan steps out and knocks it to the left of extra cover for a single.

Colin Ackermann to Ishan Kishan, SIX! That's a freebie! A loopy full toss around off. Ishan Kishan dances down the track, extends his arms and carves it powerfully over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie.

Colin Ackermann to Tilak Varma, Overthrow! Tossed up, full and on middle, Tilak Varma goes down for the reverse sweep but toe-ends it to the right of the bowler. Colin Ackermann moves to his right, picks up and has a shy at the bowler's end to keep Kishan on his toes but misses. The batters get the single as the ball rolls to long on.

Colin Ackermann to Tilak Varma, Flighted delivery, full and around leg. Tilak Varma tucks it away to mid-wicket.

Spin from both ends. With two left-handers at the crease, Colin Ackermann comes on to bowl his off-breaks.

Aryan Dutt to Ishan Kishan, Pushed through quicker again, shortish and on middle. Ishan Kishan thinks about coming down the track, but gets hurried and stabs it out on the pitch. Two excellent overs from Dutt!

Aryan Dutt to Tilak Varma, Quicker one, full and on leg, Tilak Varma clips it through square leg for a single.

Aryan Dutt to Tilak Varma, Fires in a yorker now, on off, Tilak Varma bunts it back to the bowler.

Aryan Dutt to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Up and over! Flatter delivery, full and on middle and off. Tilak Varma gets his front leg out of the way and thumps it towards the long on fence for a boundary. Safe shot as mid off and mid on are up in the circle.

Aryan Dutt to Tilak Varma, Follows the batter and delivers with the arm, angling into the leg side, fuller in length. Tilak Varma goes down for the paddle but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Aryan Dutt to Tilak Varma, Floated, full and on middle, Tilak Varma pushes it back to the bowler.

Logan van Beek to Tilak Varma, Goes fuller and on leg, pace on this time. Tilak Varma advances to flick it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls behind the pitch. They cross. 15 runs off the over!

Logan van Beek to Tilak Varma, Change of pace, hits the length hard and on off, Tilak Varma pats it towards point.

Logan van Beek to Ishan Kishan, Pitched up and on middle, Ishan Kishan comes forward and shovels it off the inner half of the bat past mid-wicket. Noah Croes from deep square leg covers a lot of ground to his right and pushes the ball towards the converging fielder. Second triple of the game.

Logan van Beek to Ishan Kishan, FOUR! You just cannot bowl there to Ishan Kishan! Logan van Beek lands this on a good length but strays onto the pads. Kishan brings his wrists into play and flicks it away through backward square leg for his first boundary.

Logan van Beek to Tilak Varma, A slower one, full and on middle, Tilak Varma uses his feet and tries to heave it across the line but gets an inside edge towards short fine leg for a single.

Logan van Beek to Tilak Varma, SIX! BANG! Welcome to the game, Logan van Beek. He serves this full and right in the slot, on off. Tilak Varma hits it through the line with a straight bat and over the bowler's head for a biggie.

It will be pace from the other end. Here's the right-arm quick, Logan van Beek.

Aryan Dutt to Tilak Varma, Sloppy fielding and India are up and running! Dragged back and around off, Tilak Varma stabs it out towards extra cover. The fielder dives to his left but fails to read the spin on the ball and lets it through, but his partner helps him out by chasing it down to save the boundary. Three taken.

Aryan Dutt to Tilak Varma, Oh, trying to be innovative but not effective! Aryan Dutt sees the batter change his stance and fires this down the leg side. Tilak Varma goes for the reverse sweep but fails to reach out for it.

Aryan Dutt to Tilak Varma, Pushed through quicker, short again, on off, Tilak Varma pats it to the right of the bowler.

Fifth duck of the year for Abhishek Sharma, third at this World Cup. Who would have thought, given all the spotlight on him coming into this tournament, that he would finish the group stage without a single run on the board? Tilak Varma is in at number 3.

Aryan Dutt to Abhishek Sharma, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Would you believe it? Third duck in this World Cup for the number one-ranked T20I batter. Aryan Dutt bowls this flatter, shortish and on middle, goes with the arm and skids through as well. Abhishek Sharma backs away and has a heave across the line but misses it completely and the ball crashes into the leg stump. He cannot believe it, and wearing Mohammed Siraj's jersey also cannot buy him a run in this tournament.

Aryan Dutt to Abhishek Sharma, Arm ball, follows the batter into the leg side. Abhishek Sharma has not much room to work with and pushes it to cover.

Aryan Dutt to Abhishek Sharma, Aryan Dutt starts with a floated delivery, short and on middle. Abhishek Sharma stays back and punches it to extra cover.

Right then, time to get the show on the road. Amidst the sea of blue in the stands, there are splashes of orange scattered around, with Dutch fans making their presence felt. Scott Edwards and his men stride out to the centre. The Dutch players have taken their positions on the field, but they await the two Indian openers. Abhishek Sharma seems to be having an issue with his kit. Ishan Kishan is waiting on the sidelines. Abhishek finally walks out wearing Mohammed Siraj's jersey. The Netherlands are starting with spin in the form of Aryan Dutt. Dutt to Abhishek. Here we go!

The giant flags of the two nations have been unfurled, and it is time for the national anthems. Suryakumar Yadav and Scott Edwards lead their respective sides out along with the mascots. It will be the Dutch national anthem first, followed by that of India.

PITCH REPORT - Former England captain, Nasser Hussain is near the deck. He mentions that it is a pretty good evening for cricket. Adds that there is a gentle breeze blowing across the ground and the humidity is low, which should make for comfortable playing conditions. He informs that it is a black soil surface and it is rock hard. Nasser says that the square boundaries measure 60 metres on one side and 69 metres on the other, with the straight boundary being 70 metres. Former Kiwi wicketkeeper Katey Martin joins him, and she straightaway calls it a batter's paradise. Katey jokes that she and Nasser would have scored plenty of runs on this track. Further says the surface is expected to get even better for batting as the evening wears on, with dew likely to settle in. She informs that this is the second-highest scoring ground of this World Cup. Martin observes a few cracks, but she feels that they are not going to matter much. She shares that pace off, fuller balls have been effective here in Ahmedabad, with 60 per cent of the wickets for seamers falling to balls being under 125 kph.

Need to improve in all areas - The Dutch captain, Scott Edwards, says that they would have batted first as well and it looks like a good wicket. Adds that they have played good cricket in patches and probably need to improve in all areas. Edwards mentions that it has been special playing here in India in front of such large crowds. Says that they have come close but just did not make the close moments count. Informs that they have made one change.

Mood in the camp is amazing - The Indian captain, Suryakumar Yadav feels that this is a good surface. Further says that last night, there was a little bit of dew, and they want to take the challenge of defending the total with a clash against South Africa coming up here after a few days. SKY shares that the boys are turning up nicely and that they are playing the brand of cricket he wants them to play. Tells that in every game, there is someone raising their hand and hopes that there is a different player of the match award winner tonight.  Informs that Axar Patel has been rested and he is replaced by Washington Sundar. They have one more change with Arshdeep Singh coming in for Kuldeep Yadav.

Netherlands (Playing XI) - Michael Levitt, Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (C/WK), Zach Lion-Cachet, Noah Croes (In place of Fred Klaassen), Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein.

India (Playing XI) - Ishan Kishan (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar (In place of Axar Patel), Arshdeep Singh (In place of Kuldeep Yadav), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

TOSS - It's time for the coin flip here in Ahmedabad. Both the captains, Suryakumar Yadav and Scott Edwards, walk out to the middle now. SKY flips the coin, and Edwards calls 'Heads', but it comes down as a Tail. India elect to BAT first.

The Super 8 picture is clear - It is all over in Colombo, and Pakistan have stormed into the Super 8s with a thumping 102-run victory over Namibia, a result that not only books their place in the next round but also brings the Netherlands' qualification hopes to an end. With that, India and Pakistan are now confirmed as the two teams progressing from Group A, which means the Dutch will be playing for pride when they take the field later on.

Looking beyond the group stage - India and the Netherlands have only crossed paths once before at a T20 World Cup, but here it is far more about the present than the past. India will want to maintain their perfect run and sharpen their edge ahead of the Super 8s, especially with their first game of the next round also set to be played here in Ahmedabad against South Africa, making this a valuable chance to get fully tuned into the conditions. A win in this game would also see India equal their record for most T20I victories at a single venue (7), matching the mark they hold at Eden Gardens, adding another layer of motivation as they look to keep their momentum rolling. Toss and team news in a bit.

A campaign of what might have been - For the Netherlands, it has been a campaign decided by fine margins. They started with a narrow defeat to Pakistan, a game they will look back on as a missed opportunity that could have put them in a far stronger position in the group. They responded in style with a commanding seven-wicket win over Namibia, before a heavy defeat to the USA, knocking them all but out. Through it all, Bas de Leede has had a World Cup to remember, leading the way with both bat and ball, while skipper Scott Edwards will be hoping for a complete team performance here. With the likes of Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt and Michael Levitt capable of producing match-defining moments, the Dutch will be eager to show just how far they have come.

All eyes on the final pieces - One small concern, though, is Abhishek Sharma, who has suffered two ducks already and will be eager to get off the mark before the Super 8s. With the ball, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy have kept a tight lid on scoring, while Hardik Pandya's all-round impact, chipping in with both bat and ball have given India crucial balance through the middle overs. This could also be a chance for Washington Sundar, the only player in the squad yet to get game time, to be brought into the XI as India look to fine-tune their combination ahead of the next round.

India in complete control - India have been ruthless in this group, winning all three of their matches so far and now eyeing a perfect 4-from-4 sweep before the Super 8s. That dominance is part of a much bigger trend - India have won 26 of their last 27 matches in ICC limited-overs events since 2023, an extraordinary 96 percent success rate. They also boast a perfect record against Associate nations in T20Is, winning all 11 of their completed games. Ishan Kishan has been the livewire of their batting, smashing the joint-second most sixes in the tournament so far, while Suryakumar Yadav has once again provided middle-order firepower.

Group A on centre stage - As we welcome you to the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, it is time for Group A action in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 as India take on the Netherlands. India have already sealed their Super 8 spot, while the Dutch are still mathematically alive, though their fate will be known before the first ball is bowled. With an average first-innings score of 189 here in T20Is and teams winning 63.6 per cent of games batting first, conditions promise another high-scoring clash in front of a packed house.

... MATCH DAY ...

Group A's culmination - We are down to the final fixture in Group A at the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The defending champions, India, take on the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. State of the group - India are the only team to have secured qualification for the Super 8s heading into the group's final matchday. Pakistan and the USA are tied on four points, while the Netherlands sit on two points. A win for Pakistan would send them through to the next round, shutting the door on both the USA and the Dutch. The Netherlands will therefore have clarity on their qualification chances before they step onto the field in Ahmedabad. However, even if Pakistan slip up, it would take an extraordinary result for the Dutch to progress on net run rate, given the significant dent their NRR has taken due to the loss against the USA. India in focus - After the USA pushed them into a corner, their subsequent games against Namibia and arch-rivals Pakistan did not pose the same level of challenge. Even so, Suryakumar Yadav and his men will believe they are yet to put together a complete performance across all three departments. Top order cushion - Abhishek Sharma has two ducks in as many games, but his early departures have not hurt India much because Ishan Kishan has provided brisk starts at the top. Similarly, the fluency one expects from Tilak Varma has been missing. He will be keen to find confidence before the next round begins with a score of note against the Dutch. An eye on the Super 8s - With a three-day gap between the final group fixture and the opening Super 8 clash against South Africa, India will be relieved that there is no travel involved. With qualification already sealed, a few players could be rested, especially Jasprit Bumrah, whose workload India have been careful in managing leading up to the tournament. Washington Sundar, who is returning from an injury layoff and only linked up with the squad ahead of the Namibia game, could be given an opportunity to get some game time. That would allow him to regain rhythm and ensure the team is not forced to throw him into the deep end should a late injury arise during the Super 8 stage. Highs, lows, and what ifs - After coming so close yet falling short against Pakistan, the Netherlands managed to put that disappointment behind them with a win over Namibia. However, the Scott Edwards-led unit was handed a heavy defeat by the USA, who outplayed and outclassed them in all departments. Top order troubles - Their start at the top has been a major concern. The highest opening stand for the Dutch so far is just 28, with Michael Levitt and Max O'Dowd, two of the top three run scorers in Netherlands T20I history, yet to make a significant impact. The experienced Colin Ackermann has also not delivered with the bat, which has only compounded their struggles. Bas de Leede, though, has provided valuable all round contributions, the kind of impact many expected from him coming into the tournament. Powerplay problems with the ball - As the saying goes, well begun is half done, but the Dutch have struggled to make inroads with the ball in the Powerplay and will need to improve in that phase if they are to challenge the might of the Indian batting unit. Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) - India - WWWWL | Netherlands - LWLLL. What to expect? This will be the first game in Ahmedabad for both sides in this tournament. In the first of the two night games played at this venue so far, South Africa piled on 213 against Canada. New Zealand managed 175 in the second game, but that had more to do with their batting and the way Proteas bowled than the conditions, as South Africa chased it down comfortably with 17 balls to spare and barely breaking a sweat. So far in the two night games, 16 of the 22 wickets have fallen to pace. With this being another night fixture, it would appear a straightforward decision for the captain winning the toss to opt to bowl first. That said, with India scheduled to face South Africa at the same venue on Sunday night, they might be tempted to test themselves by defending a total if they get the chance, or will they want to chase a total, something they have yet to do? For the Netherlands, opportunities to face India do not come around often, especially at a cauldron like the Narendra Modi Stadium. It will be a special occasion, and they will look to soak in the atmosphere and rise to the challenge.