Former Indian opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth lavished praise on Shivam Dube’s impressive spell against Pakistan as India registered a six-wicket win in the Super Four stage match of the ongoing Asia Cup at Dubai on Sunday.

When Jasprit Bumrah had a rare off-day, Dube was able to step up with the ball. Dube returned with impressive figures of 2-33 in four overs he bowled and he was the pick of the Indian bowlers. The right-arm medium pacer accounted for Sahibzada Farhaz and Saim Ayub.

Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “More than the Indian team or fans underestimating Shivam Dube, the opposition batters are underestimating him. That’s working to his advantage. They were already hitting Bumrah and the others. So when he came on to bowl at that time, they took him very lightly, thinking he was a nothing bowler.”

“They are getting out to him because of the thinking that he’s an easy bowler to face. His wickets are all through the batters slogging and trying to smash him. Of course we have to give him credit as he took crucial wickets today. We got the breakthrough only because of him.”

Meanwhile, the former attacking opener highlighted that Dube is currently playing more as a bowler than a batter in the ongoing continental tournament.

“He took a wicket in his very first over and it was the crucial breakthrough. At that time, they were going great guns. He removed the two batters who were playing well. Shivam Dube is almost playing more as a bowler than batter. I am not sure Dube will come out to bat before 7 or 8 anytime, with Samson at 5 and Hardik at 6,” said Srikkanth.

Earlier, Dube had returned with impressive figures of 3-4 in two overs he bowled against the UAE.

India will next take on Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Wednesday.