A valiant Netherlands effort ended in heartbreak as India clinched a 17-run victory in their T20 World Cup 2026 finale at Ahmedabad, prompting captain Scott Edwards to celebrate the hosts’ batting might.
India’s 193 for 6 looked gettable after they wobbled at 118 for 4 post-15 overs. But the lower order’s explosion – courtesy Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya – proved decisive, as Netherlands finished at 176 for 7.
‘They possess incredible firepower all the way down,’ Edwards analyzed. ‘We dominated early, but execution lapses and missed chances allowed them to surge with wickets in bank post-16th over.’
Aryan Dutt’s 2/19 was a highlight, earning rave reviews: ‘Tremendous credit to Aryan. His form over the past years has been stellar, challenging India’s batters head-on. We sensed a win throughout.’
Ending fourth in Group A with a single triumph in four matches, Edwards focused on growth: ‘India is a masterclass – distinct conditions, short boundaries, true pitches, electric vibe. Our team shone in spells but faltered when it mattered most. Four games demand perfection in big moments.’
This clash highlighted India’s T20 blueprint: resilience fused with raw power. Netherlands departs enriched, armed with insights to bridge the gap against elite opposition in upcoming battles.