No Fear of Off-Spin, Says Shivam Dube After Match-Winning Knock Against Netherlands

Beginning rigorous cricket training at the age of 17 is a daunting challenge for any aspiring player, but Shivam Dube embraced the grind with seriousness for over 15 years, gradually carving a niche for himself in the T20 format since his international debut in November 2019.

The 32-year-old all-rounder is now demonstrating that his role goes beyond arriving at the crease in the lower middle order for quick cameos.

His performance in Ahmedabad on Wednesday underlined his evolution as a fearless stroke-maker capable of handling pressure situations and counterattacking when required, a trait that augurs well for the defending champions heading into the Super 8’s of the ICC T20 World Cup.

Dube’s explosive 31-ball 66 and two wickets earned him the Player of the Match award in India’s 17-run win over Netherlands in the final group stage clash at Ahmedabad.

Walking in at 110/4 in the 14th over, he accelerated the innings and pushed the total to a competitive 190-odd, showcasing his ability to manage crisis situations.

Following the win, Dube addressed concerns around India’s struggles against off-spin, particularly against Aryan Dutt, who returned figures of 2/19 in four overs.

How has India performed against spin in the T20 World Cup so far?

India’s performance against spin earlier in the tournament has been underwhelming. The side lost three wickets for 42 runs in eight overs against the USA and five wickets for 61 runs in eight overs against Namibia, with run rates of 5.25 and 7.6 respectively.

In the Namibia game, off-spinner Gerald Erasmus claimed 4/20 in his four overs. Against Pakistan, 18 overs of spin yielded only 144 runs for the loss of six wickets at a run rate of eight per over, with Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub and Usman Tariq collectively containing the Indian batting lineup.

India managed just two fours in Tariq’s four-over spell amid his controversial sidearm action and pausing approach.

In contrast, the Netherlands match marked India’s most solid showing against spin in the tournament, scoring 70 runs in eight overs at a run rate of 8.75 while losing two wickets.

Dube also played a crucial role in the closing stages, stitching a valuable 76-run partnership with fellow all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Emphasising the synergy between them, he dismissed any notion of competition within the team. “I feel that both of us are lefty-righty and power hitters. So the team in front of us is always a little on back foot. If both of us were righty-righty, then there would have been a plan. But if left and right are batting, it becomes difficult for the other team. So we both enjoy it a lot. We talk a lot, yes, this is the plan, we go like that. But we enjoy a lot that is more important,” he signed off.

Across four matches and innings in the tournament, Dube has accumulated 116 runs at an average of 29.00 and a strike rate exceeding 178, including a half-century.

He has also contributed with the ball, picking up three wickets in two innings at an average of just above 15 and an economy rate of 8.6, further reinforcing his growing importance in India’s T20 setup.

(With inputs from ANI)