Shivam Dube scripted his way into T20 folklore with a blistering 66 off 31 balls—powered by 6 sixes and 4 fours—against Netherlands at Ahmedabad in T20 World Cup 2026’s 36th fixture. India’s total of 193/6 owed much to this knock, making Dube the fourth Indian batter to hit fifty versus the Dutch, a rare feat in bilateral and World Cup history.
From a precarious 110/4, Dube’s 76-run stand with Hardik Pandya off 35 balls was the game-changer. The innings unfolded with early drama: Abhishek Sharma (0), then Ishan Kishan (18) and Tilak Varma (31)’s 39-run rescue, followed by Suryakumar Yadav’s 34 via key partnerships. Netherlands fought back via Logan van Beek’s 3/56, Aryan Dutt’s 2, and Kyle Klein’s 1.
Precedents abound from October 27, 2022: Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 62 (44 balls), Rohit Sharma’s 53 (39), and Suryakumar Yadav’s 51* (25) in Sydney. Contrastingly, Namibia lacks any such heroics against India. Dube’s addition elevates an elite quartet, each mastering Dutch bowling with flair.
This match reaffirms India’s batting depth against Associates, vital for qualifier momentum. Dube, often critiqued for inconsistency, silenced doubters with calculated aggression, hinting at a starring role in India’s global ambitions. Expect this list to inspire future generations.