Dube fulfills Surya's wish as India beats Netherlands, enters Super 8s undefeated

Brief Scores: IND (193/8 in 20 overs) beat Netherlands (176/7 in 20 overs) by 17 runs in Ahmedabad’s Group A match.

India’s march through the group stages continued with a 17-run win over the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium, their fourth win in a row, taking them to the Super 8s unblemished. But it wasn’t just another win – it was the latest chapter in India’s feel-good collective glory story.

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Before the match, Surya threw down a certain challenge: he wanted someone new to step up and win the Man of the Match award. The captain himself took it against USA, then Hardik Pandya against Namibia, followed by Ishan Kishan’s heroics against Pakistan. The rotation policy was in full effect and Dube’s number increased.

And boy, he added. A ground-breaking half-century followed by a crucial wicket by Bas de Leede, among others, turned what could have been a nervous chase into a comfortable victory for India. The all-rounder’s 25-ball fifty wasn’t just quick – it was a statement of intent against a Dutch side that refused to roll over.

The shift started with a bit of luck. Dube’s top edge soon flew just over the keeper’s gloves, offering him a lifeline to make the most of. Maybe that near-miss was the wake-up call he needed. India lost Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan soon. But Dube settled in, found his rhythm and when Colin Ackermann’s off-spin came into the attack, Dube unleashed a boundary fire that sent the Ahmedabad crowd into a frenzy.

But here’s the thing about Dube – he’s not just a slob anymore. He did so by dismantling Roelof van der Merwe and Logan van Beek with brutal efficiency, his long levers and raw power on full display as his teammates struggled to keep pace. With Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh, India put on an impressive 193.

SHIVAM DUBE SHOW

Dube, who has spent years crushing the T20 circuit, has finally arrived. His batting was brilliant, sure, but his bowling turned the game on its head.

Bas de Leede looked dangerous, smashing boundaries off Dube’s first few deliveries. Ackermann joined in on the fun. But Dube didn’t panic. Using the drinks break to reset, he came back with fresh energy and trapped de Leede – the most threatening Dutch batter – to swing the momentum firmly towards India.

THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM

Cricket can be cruel and the final over proved it in the most entertaining way possible.

Dube had two chances to seal his second goal and both went begging. First, Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh clashed in a comedy mix. Then Tilak Varma settled one at deep point. Create nervous laughter in the Indian camp.

But Washington Sundar, perfectly placed between long on and extra cover, was not going to let it run. He held on, both Surya and Dube burst out laughing. The game was already won, but the last goal felt fitting – a lighthearted end to another dominant performance.

With this win, India extended their tournament winning streak to 12 matches. The defending champions remain undefeated, unstoppable and now face the real test: the Super 8 awaits.

– The end

Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

February 18, 2026

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