India’s batting juggernaut rolled on at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 as the women in blue brushed aside the Netherlands by 95 runs in Leeds, making it two wins in two games and strengthening their position at the top of Group 1. After posting a commanding 209/5, their highest total of the tournament so far; India bundled the Dutch out for 114 in 17.3 overs to continue their impressive start.
The foundation was laid by Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who produced another opening stand of substance after India’s convincing win over Pakistan. The pair put on 115 runs for the first wicket, taking the game away from the Netherlands long before the chase began. Mandhana was at her fluent best, striking 74(44) with 11 fours and a six, while Shafali hammered 55(38), with ten boundaries to her name.
India raced to 59 without loss in the powerplay and crossed 100 in just 10.5 overs. Even after the opening partnership was broken, the scoring rate barely dipped. Jemimah Rodrigues chipped in with 19(13), while Richa Ghosh provided the finishing flourish with an unbeaten 20 off just eight deliveries, including two sixes. Harmanpreet contributed 12(9) before Deepti Sharma smashed 10 not out off just deliveries, helping India surge past the 200-run mark.
For the Netherlands, Caroline de Lange was the pick of the bowlers with 2/32, while Iris Zwilling (1/41), Heather Siegers (1/31) and Myrthe van den Raad (1/37) claimed a wicket each. However, the Dutch attack struggled to contain India’s aggressive batting unit and conceded 16 extras, including 14 wides.
Chasing 210, the Netherlands began positively through Heather Siegers (21) and Phebe Molkenboer (15), but India’s bowlers steadily tightened their grip on the contest. Captain Babette de Leede fought hard for her 28 off 27 balls, while Sterre Kalis added a brisk 18(13), but the chase never truly gathered momentum.
The turning point came through left-arm spinner Shree Charani, who ripped through the middle and lower order with figures of 4/19 from her four overs. Shafali complemented her all-round display with 3/20, while Nandani Sharma impressed with 2/22 on her World Cup debut. Deepti Sharma also chipped in with a wicket as the Netherlands lost their final seven wickets for just 37 runs.
With victories over Pakistan and the Netherlands, India have announced themselves as genuine title contenders. More importantly, contributions are coming from every department — a sign of a side finding its rhythm at exactly the right time.
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