KEY POINTS
- Shivam Dube’s explosive 66 off 31 balls rescued India from middle-order collapse.
- Varun Chakravarthy’s magical 3/14 dismantled the Dutch middle order.
AHMEDABAD, India: India capped off a flawless group stage campaign with a 17-run victory over the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday, finishing with a perfect 4-0 record and marching into the Super Eight with momentum.
Defending an imposing total of 193, the Indian bowling attack, led by the magical Varun Chakravarthy, overcame a spirited Dutch fightback to seal a comprehensive win and maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament.
Dube’s Heroics Power India to 193
Earlier in the day, elected to bat first, India recovered from an early jolt to post a commanding total on the board.
The innings belonged to the explosive Shivam Dube, who announced himself on the World Cup stage with a breathtaking knock.
Dube smashed a sensational 66 off just 31 deliveries, clobbering six towering sixes, to rescue India from a precarious middle-order position.
The left-hander found able support from Hardik Pandya, who contributed a blistering 30 off 21 balls.
The duo plundered 76 runs in just 5.3 overs, completely dismantling the Dutch attack in the death overs.
Suryakumar Yadav played the anchor role with a composed 34, while Tilak Varma chipped in with a crucial 31.
For the Netherlands, young off-spinner Aryan Dutt was the standout bowler, claiming 2/19 in his four economical overs.
Logan van Beek picked up three wickets but remained expensive, conceding 56 runs.
Dutch fight back
Chasing a daunting target of 194, the Netherlands began with remarkable positivity.
Openers Michael Levitt and Max O’Dowd added 35 runs in the powerplay, signalling their intent to challenge the Indian bowling lineup.
Bas de Leede looked particularly dangerous, smashing 33 off 23 balls, while Colin Ackermann threatened to take the game away with a quickfire 23 off 15 deliveries, including two massive sixes.
At 94/2 in the 12th over, with Ackermann in full flow, the Dutch were dreaming of an improbable upset.
However, India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy turned the game on its head with a stunning triple strike.
He first removed the dangerous Ackermann, caught by Rinku Singh, and then sent back Aryan Dutt for a golden duck on the very next ball.
He returned later to clean up Max O’Dowd, finishing with exceptional figures of 3/14 in his three overs.
Jasprit Bumrah provided the crucial breakthrough, dismissing captain Scott Edwards, while Shivam Dube chipped in with two wickets, including the late dismissal of the fighting Zach Lion-Cachet, who made 26 off 16 balls.
Late flourish falls short
Lower-order batter Noah Croes provided late entertainment with a sensational cameo, smashing 25 off just 12 balls, including five boundaries.
However, the required run rate had climbed too high, and the Netherlands eventually finished at 176/7, falling 17 runs short of the target.
With this victory, India becomes the only team from Group A to remain undefeated, heading into the Super Eight stage with a spotless record and a massive psychological advantage over their rivals.
The bowling attack looks well-oiled, the batting deep, and the confidence sky-high.
