India Secure 17-Run Win Over Netherlands at T20 World Cup

A powerful half-century from Shivam Dube and a three-wicket burst by Varun Chakravarthy helped India register a 17-run win over the Netherlands in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a challenging target of 194, the Netherlands lost wickets at regular intervals. Varun Chakravarthy struck with his fourth ball, knocking over Max O’Dowd for 20. Soon after, Hardik Pandya made an impact with the ball, removing Michael Levitt for 24 as the Dutch slipped to 51 for two inside eight overs.

Varun returned in the 13th over to dismiss Colin Ackermann, who was caught by Rinku Singh, before trapping Aryan Dutt with a sharp googly on the very next delivery. Despite some late resistance from Zach Lion-Cachet and Noah Croes, the Netherlands never fully threatened the target. Dube added to his fine outing by claiming two wickets late in the innings.

Earlier, India recovered from early setbacks thanks to Dube’s explosive 66 off just 31 balls, which included six sixes and four boundaries. He combined with Pandya for a rapid 76-run partnership for the fifth wicket, achieved in just 35 balls. Dube brought up his half-century in only 25 deliveries before falling in the final over, while Pandya chipped in with a brisk 30 off 21.

India’s innings had begun on a shaky note as Abhishek Sharma was bowled for a third successive duck in the tournament. Aryan Dutt then accounted for Ishan Kishan to leave India struggling at 39 for two. Tilak Varma steadied the innings with 31, while captain Suryakumar Yadav added 34 before being dismissed in the 14th over.

After winning the toss, India chose to bat first. Arshdeep Singh returned to the playing XI, while Washington Sundar made his first appearance of the tournament.