Netherlands bowed out of T20 World Cup 2026 with a 17-run defeat to hosts India, but captain Scott Edwards departed with glowing praise for the victors’ batting depth.
At Narendra Modi Stadium, India racked up 193 for 6, powered by a stunning lower-order onslaught from Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya after a shaky middle phase at 118 for 4 in 15 overs.
Netherlands fought back to 176 for 7, led by Aryan Dutt’s miserly 2 for 19. Yet Edwards acknowledged India’s unmatched depth: ‘Their firepower extends deep into the lower order. Controlling them until the 15th over was superb, but we leaked chances and paid dearly when they had wickets remaining.’
The skipper lauded his young spinner: ‘Aryan gets full marks – he’s excelled over recent years and troubled their lineup significantly. We stayed competitive right till the end.’
With one win from four Group A games, Netherlands placed fourth. Edwards drew key takeaways from India: ‘You learn immensely here – smaller fields, batsman-friendly wickets, vibrant crowds. We performed well in phases but stumbled in decisive moments. In limited games, grabbing those opportunities is crucial.’
The match underscored India’s evolution as a T20 powerhouse, blending top-order stability with explosive finishes. For Netherlands, it’s a learning curve against the best, setting the stage for bolder performances ahead.