Netherlands goes home with head held high after memorable meeting with India
Published at 18 February, 2026For about 90,000 spectators, the Netherlands were unable to beat the T20 reigning world champion India. For a huge crowd in Ahmedabad, it was 193-176.
Noah Croes came into the team for Fred Klaassen. Aryan Dutt didn't pay attention to the impressive crowd of an estimated 90,000 people and cleaned Abishek Sharma beautifully with his third delivery. Ishan Kishan also didn't last long, bowled by Dutt for 17. After the Powerplay it was 51/2.
A chance in the outfield should have meant 62/3. In the same over, Logan van Beek was still paid to work when Roelof van der Merwe took a fantastic catch at long on (Tilak 31, 69/3).
Dutt seemed to have Dube LBW, but the 'umpire's call' saved the left-hander. Suryakumar (34) benefitted somewhat from his second life; a hit to fine leg was caught flawlessly by sub Timm van der Gugten, who entered the field for Kyle Klein.
Dube, on the other hand, benefitted to the maximum with an innings of 66 runs - again caught by Timm van der Gugten at fine leg. The final score was set at 193/6. Dutt was wonderful with 2-19, Van Beek took 3-59.
Innings Netherlands
In the opening overs, Michael Levitt and Max O'Dowd repeatedly found the boundary. 72/2/10 was the promising interim score thanks to Bas de Leede (33) and Colin Ackermann (23). However, the spinners kept the scoring speed in check (99/4/13). After fifteen overs, the scores of both teams were similar.
Zach Lion-Cachet (26) and Noah Croes brought Orange close to a legendary victory, but to the relief of the 90,000 fans, India was released with the fright. The Netherlands can go home with its head held high.
