India defeated archrivals Pakistan by a commanding six wickets in a high-stakes Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2025. Although the Indian openers rightfully stole the show with their explosive start, it was all-rounder Shivam Dube‘s brilliant ball-handling strategy that really turned the tide. With figures of 2/33 in his four overs, Shivam Dube‘s powerful spell destroyed Pakistan’s thriving middle order and saved India from certain death when the Men in Green threatened to reach a towering total.
A Turning Point Amidst Pakistan’s Surge
India’s bowlers were under tremendous pressure at the start of the match from Pakistan’s hitters, especially Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. They took advantage of India’s fielding errors, which made the Indian camp’s problems worse with dropped catches. The partnership seemed ominous, as the side reached a commanding 91/1 at the midway point, with Jasprit Bumrah having a rare off-day and the Pakistani batsmen hitting the boundaries with ease. The ball was tossed to Shivam Dube by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav at this pivotal moment in what would turn out to be a brilliant play.
There was an air of expectation when Dube launched the attack in the eleventh over. Though he is more well-known for his strong hitting, his bowling has frequently generated debate. But he demonstrated his worth as a true all-rounder against Pakistan. He outthought the batters in addition to bowling. His astute lengths and deft tempo changes were the ideal response to the comfortable Pakistani duo.
Shivam Dube: The Two-Strike That Changed the Pace
Saim Ayub’s vital wicket was Dube’s first significant breakthrough. In an attempt to maintain his aggressive hitting style, Ayub miss hit a shot on the third ball of his opening over. His 21-run knock and the risky 72-run partnership with Farhan were ended by a brilliant catch by Abhishek Sharma. In addition to ending a crucial stand, this wicket gave the Indian fielding unit new vitality.
However, his major wicket of the set Sahibzada Farhan in the 14.1 over was the turning point of his spell. Farhan gave a solid 58 from 45 balls, but was beaten by Dube’s subtle changes. He gave Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav a straightforward catch to end his outstanding century and successfully stop Pakistan’s attack. Dube had completely destroyed the opposition’s middle order with two vital wickets and a bowling economy of 8.20.
Shivam Dube: A Display of Courage and Character
Dube’s mental toughness was demonstrated by his feats with the ball. He did bowl a front-foot no-ball, which received considerable criticism from Sunil Gavaskar and other commentators, but it was overshadowed by the two important wickets he got. Given that India’s front-line bowlers were having trouble and the team’s fielding had been unusually careless, his performance was especially noteworthy.
India was chasing a manageable goal of 172 instead of a more challenging one of more than 200 because to Dube’s destruction of Pakistan’s momentum in the middle overs. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill’s explosive opening partnership was made possible by this, and they later made the chase appear incredibly simple. Shivam Dube made a crucial contribution with the ball, but Abhishek Sharma’s incredible 74 earned him the rightful Player of the Match award. His spell—a genuine demonstration of bravery and skill—was the unsung factor in India’s resounding victory, confirming his position as an essential component of the Indian T20 system.
Stats
Shivam Dube’s most recent bowling performances in T20Is
2/25(4) vs Zim
2/11(2) vs Eng
3/4(2) vs UAE
0/31(3) vs Oman
2/33 (4) vs Pak
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: Abhishek Sharma’s Masterful 74 Guides India To A Big Win