Dube stands tall as India see off the Dutch; Sanju dropped again, Abhishek makes hat-trick of ducks

India kept their perfect record intact in the group stage of the T20 World Cup with a 17-run win over the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

India have four wins in as many matches as they head into the Super Eights, joined by Pakistan from Group A, after the neighbours ensured their progress with a 102-run win over Namibia earlier in the day.

India's first match in the Super Eights Group 1 is against South Africa at the same venue on February 22. Pakistan will get their Super Eights series going against New Zealand on February 21.

Today, the Netherlands fought bravely, chasing a 194-run target, but had to settle for 176/7. Varun Chakravarthy claimed 3/14, while Shivam Dube made it a memorable night for him with 2/35 on the back of a powerful half-century.

Dube's 66 off 31 was instrumental in driving the Indian innings forward after the Dutch removed openers Abhishek Sharma (0) and Ishan Kishan (18) in the powerplay.

For Sharma, it was a hat-trick of ducks, while Kishan could not convert a good start. Both players were dismissed by lanky off-spinner Aryan Dutt, who delivered the first over.

India rebuilt, through Tilak Varma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who won the toss, with a 30-run stand. But Logan van Beek removed Varma and the captain fell shortly after the total crossed 100. Dube and Hardik Pandya held a 76-run stand for the fifth wicket, hitting nine sixes. Pandya fell in the last ball after making 30 off 20.

Earlier, Sharma's retention meant that there was no place for struggling star Sanju Samson. India had included Washington Sundar, replacing Axar Patel, while Kuldeep Yadav has made way for Arshdeep Singh.

Brief scores: India 193/6 in 20 overs (Shivam Dube 66, Suryakumar Yaav 34, Tilak Varma 31, Hardik Pandya 30, Logan van Beek 3/56, Aryan Dutt 2/19) bt Netherlands 176/7 in 20 overs (Bas de Leede 33, Zach Lion-Cachet 26, Varun Chakravarthy 3/14, Shivam Dube 2/35)