India cricket team will be on the hunt for their 4th consecutive win as they take on Netherlands in their final group stage game of the T20 World Cup 2026 at 7 PM IST on Wednesday. Suryakumar Yadav and co. have beaten USA, Namibia and Pakistan to stay unbeaten so far in the tournament. Netherlands, on the other hand, will be fighting for pride, as they have already been knocked out of the tournament. India will be aiming to continue their winning momentum and head into the Super 8 stage on a high note.
IND vs NED Match Details
- Match: India vs Netherlands, Match 36, ICC T20 World Cup 2026
- Date: February 18, 2026 (Wednesday)
- Time: 7:00 PM IST
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
IND vs NED Preview
India enters the contest as the undisputed favorites. The “Men in Blue” have been ruthless, led by an in-form Ishan Kishan and a lethal bowling attack. However, all eyes will be on opener Abhishek Sharma, who has struggled with two ducks in the tournament so far. The team management has signaled they will stick with him to help him find rhythm before the knockouts.
The Netherlands have had a mixed bag, defeating Namibia but suffering heavy losses to Pakistan and the USA. Their bowling unit, featuring the experience of Roelof van der Merwe and the all-round skill of Bas de Leede, remains their best bet to cause an upset on the big stage.
IND vs NED Pitch Report
The Ahmedabad surface is a certified “batter’s paradise.” Unlike the slower tracks seen earlier in the tournament, the Narendra Modi Stadium offers consistent bounce and a lightning-fast outfield. Recent scores of 180+ suggest that the team batting first will look to cross the 200-run mark. While there is slight movement for pacers early on, dew is expected to play a role in the second innings, making chasing a viable option.
IND vs NED Probable Playing XIs
- India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj (likely in for Jasprit Bumrah), Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy.
- Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (c/wk), Zach Lion-Cachet, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Roelof van der Merwe, Kyle Klein, Fred Klaassen.
IND vs NED Key Battles to Watch
- Abhishek Sharma vs Logan van Beek: A crucial Powerplay battle. Abhishek will be desperate to break his run of low scores, while Van Beek’s ability to extract bounce could test the young left-hander.
- Suryakumar Yadav vs Roelof van der Merwe: The “evergreen” Dutch spinner will aim to stifle SKY’s 360-degree strokeplay in the middle overs. How SKY handles the experienced left-arm spin will dictate India’s final total.
- Scott Edwards vs Varun Chakaravarthy: The Dutch captain is an excellent player of spin, but Chakaravarthy’s mystery has troubled even the best in this tournament.
Who Will Win Today’s Match?
The gap in quality and current form is significant. India’s batting depth and the sheer variety in their bowling attack make them almost impossible to beat in home conditions. While the Netherlands are known for their “giant-killing” spirit, the Men in Blue are expected to continue their undefeated streak.
Prediction: India to win Match 36 of the T20 World Cup.
