Agencies
Ahmedabad
Shivam Dube produced a momentum-shifting all-round performance as India defeated the Netherlands by 17 runs in their final T20 World Cup league match here on Wednesday, remaining unbeaten in Group A.
Asked to bat, India recovered from early setbacks against off-spinner Aryan Dutt to post a competitive 193 for six. Dube led the charge with a blistering 66 off 31 balls, smashing six sixes, and later defended 28 in the final over despite two dropped catches. He shared a crucial 76-run stand with Hardik Pandya (30 off 21) as India plundered 75 runs in the last five overs.
India’s top order struggled against spin with Abhishek Sharma registering his third successive duck, while Ishan Kishan (18) and Tilak Varma (31) failed to convert starts.
In reply, the Netherlands were kept in check by Varun Chakravarthy, who returned figures of 3 for 14 in three overs. The mystery spinner struck twice in successive balls to derail the chase, removing Colin Ackermann and Dutt. Though Zach Lion-Cachet (26 not out) and Noah Croes (25 not out) added late runs, the Dutch finished at 176 for seven.
India now head into the Super 8 stage against South Africa with momentum but with concerns against quality spin still lingering.
