In modern T20 cricket, preparation is everything. Touring teams routinely request specialist net bowlers — mystery spinners, left-arm wrist spinners, or express quicks — to simulate specific match-ups. But ahead of their crucial clash against India, the Netherlands made a far more unusual request: a left-handed net batter.

On Monday, the Netherlands management approached the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) with a tactical demand. With India potentially fielding as many as six left-handers in their top eight — including Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh and Axar Patel — the Dutch camp wanted realistic preparation against that approach and its variations.

The challenge? Gujarat’s domestic season had already concluded, with their Ranji Trophy campaign ending weeks earlier. Finding a quality left-handed batter at short notice wasn’t straightforward. That’s when the GCA reached out to Gujarat captain Manan Hingrajia.

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The 27-year-old was in the middle of a one-on-one training session at the Gujarat College ground when he received an unexpected call asking him to report to the Narendra Modi Stadium by 6 p.m. With little explanation offered, Hingrajia wrapped up his session and navigated evening traffic for a quick 30-minute dash to the venue.

Everyone knows net bowlers, but Netherlands needed something different in Ahmedabad. The story of how Gujarat’s Ranji captain Manan Hingrajia was called up for a last-minute session with Netherlands 🏏 pic.twitter.com/w0DS9Nsy5y

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 17, 2026

Upon arrival, he was greeted by Netherlands head coach Ryan Cook and directed straight into the nets. His role was clear: take strike and replicate India’s aggressive left-handed intent. Facing a Dutch bowling unit fresh from fitness drills, Hingrajia was given the freedom to attack — new and old balls alike.

Under the towering floodlights of the Narendra Modi Stadium, Hingrajia unleashed a flurry of straight drives and lofted hits, several sailing deep into empty stands as security staff retrieved balls from various corners of the ground. It wasn’t just net practice; it was high-intensity simulation.

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After two uninterrupted hours in the middle of a World Cup venue, Hingrajia walked away smiling — having unknowingly played a small but fascinating role in the tactical chess match building up to India vs Netherlands.