In the exciting world of cricket, an intriguing statistic reveals that India remains undefeated in all 35 T20 International matches featuring all-rounder Shivam Dube since December 2019. As India gears up for the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka, Dube’s journey and remarkable adaptability have become a significant talking point.
Originally, Dube started as a medium-pacer who could also bat. However, his powerful hitting and knack for clearing boundaries quickly brought him fame and caught the attention of IPL franchises. Many experts even likened him to the legendary Yuvraj Singh, hailing him as a future star in Indian cricket.
Unfortunately, this intense focus on his batting inadvertently led to his bowling skills taking a backseat. Consequently, his contributions with the ball diminished in both the IPL and international matches, with captains often reluctant to complete his full quota of overs. The ‘impact player’ rule further contributed to this shift. A stark example of his bowling struggles was evident in a T20I against New Zealand in February 2020, where he conceded an astonishing 34 runs in a single over.
As his effectiveness waned, Dube also battled injury concerns while bowling. This lack of clear role definition further eroded his confidence, reducing demand for his services. However, his fortunes dramatically shifted after he was signed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2022.
His childhood coach, Satish Samant, remarked, “That was a very important turning point. Dube’s game and attitude completely changed after being signed by CSK. Working with mentors like Michael Hussey and MS Dhoni instilled a new sense of calm and assurance in his approach. Dube has benefited immensely and now feels consistently supported, regardless of challenges.”
During his tenure with CSK, Dube evolved into a formidable force against spin, recapturing the explosive batting prowess that made him so valuable. His standout performances even caught the eye of Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who envisioned Dube as a key player against spinners on the slower pitches of the USA and West Indies for the T20 World Cup 2024. Embracing this role, the 32-year-old showcased his confidence in the final against South Africa, contributing a quickfire 27 runs off just 16 balls.
Yet, it’s Dube’s remarkable resurgence in the bowling department during the ongoing Asia Cup that has surprised many. He proved particularly impactful in India’s Super4s victory over Pakistan, stifling the opposition’s momentum with a crucial spell in the middle overs. Dube successfully dismissed Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, conceding just 33 runs. Pakistan managed a mere 38 runs between overs 10 and 17, a phase that Suryakumar Yadav pinpointed as the turning point of the match.
Samant further explained, “His approach as a bowler has vastly improved, showing significant transformation. Dube is now more aggressive and has developed new weapons, such as slower deliveries, which he has painstakingly refined. The team management assigned him a distinct role in the Asia Cup, and he has responded with great enthusiasm and success.”
He added, “Collaborating with Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel has been exceptionally beneficial. Dube exhibits greater focus and determination when bowling, which is clearly visible. This was something missing before. Given his height, Dube always possessed decent pace and bounce, but he is now even more refined and polished.”
“His spell against Pakistan clearly demonstrated his understanding of the game situation. He bowled cleverly, mixing slower balls with wide yorkers, focusing on precise areas and rising to the occasion when needed. When a player receives unwavering assurance from the team management, they naturally perform at their best, and that’s precisely what we’re seeing,” Samant concluded.
Dube’s increased dedication to his bowling in the current tournament stems from a rigorous fitness and training regimen. Yogesh Kanchgar, a former Mumbai Ranji Trophy coach and current Indian table tennis team strength and conditioning coach, revealed, “He is incredibly dedicated, regularly undergoing sessions with me that emphasize running and weight training. Dube even maintained these sessions before IPL 2025.”
“He has become leaner, quicker, and his fat percentage has been converted into lean muscle mass, leading to enhanced endurance. Dube is also very particular about his diet,” Kanchgar added. A strong performance against Sri Lanka could further cement Shivam Dube’s growing reputation as a truly indispensable all-rounder for India.