AHMEDABAD, INDIA: India beat the Netherlands by 17 runs in their final Group A encounter of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 18. India, who have already made it to the Super 8 stage of this tournament, treated this encounter as a dress rehearsal before they clash with South Africa at the same venue on Sunday, February 22.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bat first, but was let down by opener Abhishek Sharma getting out for a duck third ball. This was Sharma’s second duck in a row, after he was sent back without scoring against Pakistan as well. Fellow opener Ishan Kishan did not shine too bright either, ending a 7-ball stay at the crease with a score of 18.
Tilak Varma (31) and Suryakumar Yadav (34) then strung together a partnership of 30 runs for the third wicket before the former departed. Shivam Dube walked in to bat at number five and completely altered the complexion of the game. If the southpaw had shown glimpses of his ability in his 27-run knock against Pakistan, it came full circle on Wednesday against the unsuspecting Dutch bowlers.
Shivam Dube was the star for India with the bat
Shivam Dube tore into them, ending with 66 runs off just 31 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and six sixes in the process. His fame as a spin-hitter remained intact, as Roelof van der Merwe and Colin Ackermann found out. The duo gave away 72 runs between them in seven overs, even as India pushed towards a competitive total of 193-6. All-rounder Hardik Pandya also helped the home team’s cause, scoring a brisk 30 off 21 deliveries, with the help of three sixes.
In reply, Michael Levitt (24) and Max O’Dowd (20) put up a fine opening stand of 35 runs before the latter was castled by Varun Chakaravarthy. Bas de Leede (33) and Ackermann (23) got off to starts, but were unable to convert them into big scores. Chakaravarthy reigned supreme with figures of 4-13 after bowling just three overs; along with Ackermann, he also accounted for Aryan Dutt at number five.
Zach Lion-Cochet (26) and Noah Cross (25 not out) gave the impression that the Dutch tail would wag for some time, but it was not to be, as India romped home without any problems. The 19th over of the Netherlands’ innings, bowled by Pandya, seemed to inch the game in their favour after Lion-Cachet hit a six and Cross struck two boundaries, but Shivam Dube, entrusted to bowl the final over, successfully defended 28 runs, giving away just 10. The Men in Blue have now won all their group stage games.
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