India vs Netherlands at the T20 World Cup 2026 is the last group stage game India needed to confirm their unbeaten run. The Netherlands, already fighting for pride, arrives at Ahmedabad with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
India arrive at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 18, having won all three group games, yet without once playing the cricket they are truly capable of. They have not crossed 209 in any of those matches.
That changes tonight on the flattest, fastest batting surface in this tournament. Four of the last five first innings at Ahmedabad under lights have gone past 210. The Netherlands, eliminated but not embarrassed, came within one dropped catch of beating Pakistan and beat Namibia before that.
India leads the head-to-head 4-0 across all formats and 1-0 in T20Is. A 16-match winning streak in ICC limited-overs cricket is also on the line. The India vs the Netherlands World Cup 2026 clash doubles as India’s final audition before the Super Eights begin.
Table of Contents
Match Details of India vs Netherlands
- Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
- Start Time: 7:00 PM IST (Toss at 6:30 PM IST).
- Live Stream/Telecast: JioHotstar (Digital) and Star Sports Network (TV).
- Tickets: Available on BookMyShow starting from ₹500.
T20 World Cup 2026 Group A Standing
| Group A Team | Matches | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 3 | 6 | Qualified (Q) |
| USA | 4 | 4 | Finished Group Stage |
| Pakistan | 3 | 2 | Must win final game |
| Netherlands | 3 | 2 | Must win vs India |
India aims to fix batting before Super 8s
India entered this game having already locked up their Super Eights berth. Three wins from three tells you the result but not the story. They have not yet played the brand of cricket SKY wants from them, and the bowlers have had to bail the batters out more than once.
Pakistan used Usman Tariq to keep India quiet through the middle. Namibia did the same with Gerhard Erasmus. India has the firepower to fix that tonight.
The Netherlands is not here as spectators. They came within one catch of beating Pakistan and Namibia. They are a side that competes and knows their cricket.
India vs Netherlands Pitch Report
Ahmedabad plays fast and flat under lights. Four of the last five first innings at this ground at night crossed 210. South Africa posted 213 here in this very tournament. Teams batting first hold the advantage because chasing sides struggle with evening dew and the pace of the surface. The toss matters. Expect the side winning to bat first without hesitation.
Team News
Harshit Rana is out of the tournament with an injury. That is the one confirmed absentee for India. The main selection question now is whether Arshdeep Singh returns ahead of Kuldeep Yadav.
Ahmedabad is a quicker surface compared to Colombo, and Arshdeep’s role at the death gives India the control they want there. Kuldeep may sit this one out as a result.
The Netherlands rotate their pace attack across matches. Timm van der Gugten, Kyle Klein, and Paul van Meekeren have been sharing duties. Two of those three will play tonight.
Probable Playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.
Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (capt & wk), Zach Lion-Cachet, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Roelof van der Merwe, Kyle Klein, Fred Klaassen / Paul van Meekeren.
3 Tactical Keys
1. Abhishek Sharma must find his feet early
Abhishek has managed four deliveries and zero runs in this tournament. A golden duck on debut, a stomach illness against Namibia, and another duck against Pakistan.
None of that reflects his ability. He is the most destructive T20 opener in the world right now, and Ahmedabad is where you cash in. The Netherlands will open with Aryan Dutt to test him outside off stump. Abhishek needs to trust his game and not fish.
2. Can Aryan Dutt repeat what Salman Agha did?
Salman Agha tied Abhishek down for three balls and dismissed him on the fourth in Colombo. The Netherlands watched that closely. Aryan Dutt is their first-choice spinner and will carry the same plan.
The difference is that Colombo held more for spinners. Ahmedabad is a batting paradise. One mis-hit here clears the rope. Abhishek will back himself if he finds his rhythm early.
3. India wants 220-plus, not just a comfortable score
India has not crossed 209 in any of their three group games. That is not the kind of cricket they want to carry into the Super Eights. Ahmedabad at night is the perfect surface to reset. Hardik at five, Rinku at six, and Dube at seven give them the firepower in the back half. If the top three click, a score near 230 is very much on.
Players to Watch
- Abhishek Sharma (India)
He is arguably the best T20 batter in the world right now. Three failures do not change that. Ahmedabad suits his game. If Aryan Dutt does not get him early, expect fireworks.
- Ishan Kishan (India)
Kishan has been the standout batter of this tournament so far. He is striking at over 180 in the World Cup and batting with freedom that nobody else in this Indian side has matched yet. If he settles in alongside a confident Abhishek, this Dutch bowling attack will have a very long night.
- Zach Lion-Cachet (Netherlands)
The Netherlands find their most dangerous batting in this young, aggressive blade. He hits hard and straight and is not afraid of the big occasion. If the Netherlands gets off to a decent start, Lion-Cachet can accelerate.
IND vs NED Head-to-Head Record (T20I)
| Total Matches Played | 01 |
| India Won | 01 |
| Netherlands Won | 00 |
| No Result / Tie | 00 |
| Last Meeting | India won by 56 runs (2022) |
| Win Percentage (IND) | 100% |
Prediction
India wins this comfortably, but the story here is the margin and whether they finally bat the way they are capable of. Abhishek gets off the mark in a hurry. Kishan continues his stunning form. India post 220-plus, and the bowlers finish the job inside 15 overs.
The Netherlands fight, but the surface and the occasion both favour India.
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