MUMBAI: In T20 cricket, contribution at crucial moments is often as important as the number of runs or wickets. Shivam Dubey has contributed on many occasions in the past two years when India needed him the most.
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India are down to 106/4 in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa and need someone to back Virat Kohli and guide them to a competitive total. Rohit Sharma backed Dube’s character, taking him ahead of Hardik Pandya. The left-hander responded with a crucial 16-ball 27 and he shared a 57-run fifth wicket with Kohli to help India reach 176/7.
During last year’s Asia Cup final against Pakistan, Dube was once again pushed up the rankings, this time ahead of Linku Singh. He led India to a score of 77/4 and he teamed up with Tilak Varma to score a 40-ball 60 to lead India to a 5-wicket win with 33 runs off 22 balls.
The 32-year-old has continued to make timely contributions in this T20 World Cup and will do so again when India take on England in the semi-finals at their home venue, the Wankhede Stadium, on Thursday.
It was here that Dube first attracted attention in the inaugural T20 Mumbai League, hitting five sixes in a match for Shivaji Park Lions. He repeated the feat in a Ranji Trophy match against Baroda in 2018 and earned an IPL contract the following year.
Dube didn’t start early against the United States and Namibia at this World Cup, but his batting picked up steam as the tournament wore on. He was widely praised for his 17-ball 27 against Pakistan and a fluid 31-ball 66 against the Netherlands, while his blistering eight-for-four against the West Indies in the previous match helped India seal a berth in the semi-finals.
The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder was praised after that match, with head coach Gautam Gambhir and pacesetter Jasprit Bumrah highlighting the importance of his brief cameo.
“For me, Shivam’s two boundaries are as important as Sanju’s 97 because if he had not hit those two boundaries, that knock might not have been talked about,” Gambhir said. “Big contributions make headlines, but small contributions can help a team cross the line.”
Bumrah echoed this sentiment in a video posted by the ICC on Instagram. “The two fours that Dube hit – not many people will appreciate that. But people who know cricket know that those two boundaries release pressure,” he said.
While Dube’s performances with the bat have been consistent, India would like him to make more of an impact with the ball as his price has been high. Bowling coach Morne Morkel believes execution is more important than form. “I don’t think it’s a loss of bowling form,” Morkel said on Wednesday. “Shivam knows his game very well. Sometimes the idea behind the delivery is right but the execution is not that good.”
Morkel added that improving his decision-making with the ball will be key. “Teams will chase him, but it also creates opportunities to take wickets. If he can be a little smarter and execute better, it will make a big difference.”
Dube struggled with short pace early in his international career but has worked hard to overcome this weakness at the Nets. India will hope he can create a similar comeback with the ball.
