India’s all-rounder Shivam Dube has brushed apart comparisons with senior teammate Hardik Pandya, stressing mentorship and camaraderie as an alternative of rivalry.
Shivam Dube credit Hardik Pandya’s steering over rivalry
Talking after his match-winning spell towards the UAE in India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener, Dube referred to as “Pandya like a brother” and acknowledged the steering he receives from the skilled campaigner.
“Hardik is sort of a brother from whom I are inclined to be taught quite a bit as he has far more expertise each in IPL and worldwide cricket in comparison with me,” Dube defined. He added that his solely focus is on enhancing his recreation and drawing from Pandya’s huge expertise slightly than competing with him.
Shivam Dube’s career-best bowling lights up Asia Cup opener
Dube made headlines in Dubai by delivering his best-ever bowling efficiency in T20Is, taking 3 wickets for simply 4 runs in 2 overs. His brilliance dismantled the UAE batting lineup and restricted them to 57 runs, paving the way in which for India’s emphatic victory.
The choice to subject each medium-pace all-rounders labored in India’s favour. Whereas Pandya opened the assault and conceded 10 runs, Dube’s breakthroughs highlighted his rising worth as a dual-role participant, strengthening India’s batting depth and bowling choices.
Dube credited bowling coach Morne Morkel for refining his expertise since his comeback to the Indian staff. “Morne has been working with me for the reason that England sequence. He informed me to bowl a line barely outdoors off-stump, develop a slower ball, and tweak my run-up,” Dube revealed.
He additionally acknowledged head coach Gautam Gambhir for his strategic steering. In keeping with Dube, Gambhir and the captain have inspired him to embrace his bowling position and increase his contributions past batting.
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Distinct roles for Dube and Pandya within the Indian staff
Whereas each Pandya and Dube are pace-bowling all-rounders, India’s setup has assigned them distinct tasks. Pandya continues to a frontline all-rounder, whereas Dube is steadily carving his area of interest, significantly after the IPL’s Affect Participant rule has restricted his bowling alternatives.
Dube reiterated that his focus stays on development, stating that comparisons maintain little worth: “I by no means considered comparisons. My solely endeavour is to be taught as a lot as I can and contribute to the staff.”
With India eyeing one other sturdy marketing campaign within the Asia Cup, Dube’s kind supplies a major increase. His means to enrich Pandya whereas additionally serving as a dependable bowling choice provides depth to India’s squad, particularly on difficult pitches within the UAE. The Suryakumar Yadav-led aspect will subsequent tackle arch-rivals Pakistan of their subsequent recreation on Sunday, September 14.
Additionally READ: Right here’s why Suryakumar Yadav withdrew run-out attraction towards UAE’s Junaid Siddique in Asia Cup 2025 conflict
