Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan heaped praise on Shivam Dube for his impactful performance in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan at Dubai on Sunday. India registered a five-wicket win 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.
“Shivam Dube’s innings was brilliant, it was very important. He played some crucial shots. That six off Haris Rauf, that was extremely crucial, if that was not hit, the equation of 17 runs needed off the last 2 overs would not have been possible. It might have been more complicated,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
“If any other team lost their premier all-rounder like India did with Hardik Pandya, that team would crumble. Imagine the pressure Shivam Dube was under. Playing the final against Pakistan, bowling with the new ball. He gave away only 12 runs off his first two overs with the new ball, and I think that was a huge factor for India,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pathan also showered praise on the team’s think tank for giving opportunities to other all-rounders so that Hardik Pandya’s absence is not felt when he is not available.
“Hardik Pandya has been injured before in the 2018 Asia Cup, the 2023 ODI World Cup, and now just before the final. So, India has made sure that they have 3 all-rounders. So, well done to the selectors and coaches for not letting Hardik’s injury affect their plan,” the all-rounder said.
On the other hand, Shubman Gill praised Dube for hitting the crucial sixes and delivering for the team under pressure.
“The partnership between Sanju and Tilak and then the way Dube hit those sixes was very important. Playing a final against them, there wasn’t much panic but the game can go both ways,” Shubman Gill said after India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph.
India will take on the West Indies in a two-match Test series at home.
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