Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra noted that Shivam Dube had an underwhelming run in T20Is in the last 10 months but hailed the all-rounder for turning the tables in the Asia Cup. India registered a five-wicket victory to win their ninth Asia Cup title and Dube played a key role in the team’s historic win.
In Hardik Pandya’s absence, Dube was given the first over by Suryakumar Yadav and he conceded only four runs. The medium pacer conceded only 23 runs in the three overs he bowled and thus bowled economically.
More importantly, Dube scored a crucial knock of 33 runs off just 22 balls and added a vital stand of 60 runs with Tilak Varma to take India over the line in the run chase of 147.
Aakash Chopra said on ESPN Cricinfo, “Never underestimate the importance of power, especially when the ball gets old, the pitch is a little dusty, you need power to clear the fence. And when you have that kind of power, and you can display it, and it’s been a quiet last 10 months for Shivam Dube. That England series was good, after that the IPL was quite middling. Even this series was okay; didn’t get too many opportunities, but he was there.
“One shot that he played through the cover region, that was outstanding because if he can do that, he can do what he did towards the on side any which way, so where would you go as a bowler?”
On the other hand, former Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron also showered praise on Shivam Dube and called him a priceless player.
“Those long levers, they always come handy. Pakistan were almost nailing their plans, but that one six he hit off Haris Rauf was a brilliant shot. For the viewers, that’s not an easy shot to hit because when you generally set up to hit on the on side and somebody is bowling that far wide, to take a full-toss and hit it for a six between those two fielders, not an easy shot at all. Dube is just one of those priceless players we are finding who obviously did really well with the bat, but his role with the ball was priceless as well.”
Aaron added that Dube always lives under the shadow of India’s premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya. However, Dube was able to step up when Pandya was ruled out with an injury in the final.
“The fact is that Shivam Dube lives under the massive shadow of Hardik Pandya. Two all-rounders, Hardik Pandya, has this huge persona and has done so well for India. But Shivam Dube is also putting in the yards. As we go along, Shivam Dube is going to be appreciated because what we are seeing now is not just a performance with the bat; he is performing with the ball as well.”
India will next take on the West Indies in a two-match Test series at home.
