In the 36th group match of the T20 World Cup 2026, India is facing the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and decided to bat first. The Indian team enters this match looking to maintain their winning momentum, having already secured a place in the Super-8 stage of the tournament. According to team officials, two strategic changes have been made to the playing eleven for this encounter.
While India has already qualified for the next round based on their previous victories, the stakes are Notably higher for the Netherlands. For the Dutch side, this is a must-win game to keep their hopes alive for the Super-8 qualification. A defeat in today's match would result in their elimination from the group stage, making it a high-pressure situation for the associate nation.
Playing 11 for both teams
India: Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leyd, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (wicketkeeper/captain), Jack Lyon-Cachet, Noah Kroos, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein.
Squad Rotations and Key Inclusions
During the toss, Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that all-rounder Washington Sundar has been included in the playing eleven for the first time in this tournament. Sundar's inclusion is seen as an opportunity to test the team's depth before the crucial Super-8 matches. Also, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has returned to the squad after being rested in the previous game. These changes indicate India's intent to balance the workload while maintaining a competitive edge.
Focus on Abhishek Sharma's Performance
The spotlight remains on Abhishek Sharma, who has struggled to find form in the current edition of the T20 World Cup. Despite his high ranking in the format, Sharma has failed to open his account in the tournament so far, recording ducks in the matches against Pakistan and the United States. The team management has continued to show faith in the young opener, providing him another opportunity to find his rhythm on the batting-friendly track of Ahmedabad.
High Stakes for the Netherlands
The Netherlands faces a daunting task against a formidable Indian side. According to tournament statistics, the Dutch bowlers have shown discipline, but facing the world's top-ranked batting lineup presents a different challenge. The Netherlands captain stated at the toss that they aim to restrict India to a manageable total. Their strategy involves utilizing the early movement available on the pitch to pick up quick wickets and put the Indian middle order under pressure.
Conditions at Narendra Modi Stadium
The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium is known for its true bounce and favorability towards batsmen as the game progresses, while with the match scheduled to start at 7 PM, the dew factor is expected to play a role in the second innings, which influenced India's decision to bat first. Ground reports suggest that while there is a slight covering of grass to assist seamers initially, the surface is likely to remain stable throughout the 40 overs. A large crowd has gathered to witness this final group stage fixture for the Indian team.