India won the toss and chose to bat first against the Netherlands in their final Group A clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Ahmedabad.
The decision allows the Men in Blue to set a strong total and test their batting depth before entering the Super 8 stage.
With qualification already secured, the team management decided to rotate players and balance workloads. Jasprit Bumrah is expected to rest, while Arshdeep Singh returns to lead the pace attack. Washington Sundar is likely to feature for the first time in the tournament, adding both batting depth and off-spin utility.
The spotlight remains on Abhishek Sharma, who has struggled with consecutive ducks. The management continues to back him, giving one more opportunity to find rhythm before the high-pressure Super 8 matches. India’s batting-first approach signals intent to dominate early and maintain their unbeaten run in the group stage.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, face a tough challenge against India’s strong batting lineup. Their bowlers will aim to restrict India to a manageable target and create pressure in the chase.
India’s focus on tactical experimentation highlights their confidence and preparation for the next round, where they will face South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the West Indies in Group 1 of the Super 8s.
India: Ishan Kisha (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin, Ackermann, Scott Edwards (C) (WK), Zach Lion-Cacher, Noah Croes, Logan vam Beek, Roelef van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein.
