Former India all-rounder Abhishek Nayar praised Shivam Dube for stepping up in Hardik Pandya’s absence following the fourth T20I against Australia in Carrara. Hardik has been sidelined with an injury since the Asia Cup 2025 final versus Pakistan, with Dube taking on the role of India’s primary pace-bowling all-rounder.
Though not traditionally known as a top bowler, Dube has delivered crucial breakthroughs in the ongoing T20I series, including dismissing in-form Tim David in the last two matches and Australia captain Mitchell Marsh in the previous game. Speaking on JioStar about Dube’s often-overlooked contributions, Nayar told Hindustan Times:
“We always say that Hardik Pandya is the kind of all-rounder that India requires. But game after game, Shivam Dube has shown that he can be that all-rounder as well. You don’t really feel the absence of Hardik Pandya because Shivam bowls important overs, takes key wickets, and contributes with the bat in different situations.”
“Dube Does Everything An Indian All-Rounder Should”- Abhishek Nayar
Abhishek Nayar lauded Shivam Dube’s versatility in T20 cricket, highlighting how he has consistently risen to every challenge. The Mumbai-born player has established himself as a key figure in India’s T20I squad, thanks to his timely performances with both bat and ball.
“Today again, he scored crucial runs and took two big wickets when Australia were looking to accelerate. Whenever he has been challenged by this Indian team management, he has come up with flying colours. He may not be tagged as ‘the all-rounder’, but he does everything that an Indian all-rounder needs to do,” said Nayar (via the aforementioned source).
Dube featured in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team and has delivered strong T20I performances overall. In 45 matches, the 32-year-old maintains a batting average above 27 with a strike rate of 138.26 and has claimed 21 wickets at an average of 29.
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