Suryakumar Yadav trusted Shivam Dubey to open the bowling in the Asia Cup 2025 final and he has maintained his faith in the all-rounder. He could be favored in place of Nitish Kumar Reddy for the T20 series against Australia, especially in the absence of Hardik Pandya.
India has been without the services of its experienced all-rounder Hardik Pandya at times and Shivam Dubey has stepped up for India on several occasions. Since Asia Cup 2025, he has also stepped up with the ball in hand and has been taking wickets at regular intervals.
Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the Australia series due to injury, while Shivam Dubey and Nitish Kumar Reddy will be selected as all-rounders for the 5-match series against Australia.
Shivam Dubey bowled brilliantly in the Asia Cup final
During the high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav handed the new ball to Shivam Dubey, who was the bowling all-rounder for India. Dubey had bowled 10 overs in the last 5 matches.
Hardik Pandya bowled with the new ball as he missed the final due to a quadriceps injury, and hence the non-regular bowler was asked to lead the attack along with Jasprit Bumrah. To Dubey’s credit, he did a very good job, although he could not take a single wicket. He bowled three overs and conceded 23 runs, as Pakistan were bowled out for 146 runs.
“I don’t put on any pressure at all,” Suryakumar Yadav said on his role as Indian T20I captain.
Suryakumar Yadav said that he knows how much hard work Dubey has worked on his bowling and he looked quite confident of delivering for India after opening the bowling for India for the first time.
“No, no, I don’t put pressure on anyone. You are talking about expectations – I don’t put pressure at all. Everyone has their own preparation; they know the conditions here, how they have to bowl.”
“But he (Dubey) has been working really hard on his bowling. And because of that, he showed so much confidence that I made him bowl in the Asia Cup final. I knew – I have been playing with him for seven-eight years – I knew how much the guy is in the water, I know how capable he is. I saw that his preparation was really good,” India captain Suryakumar told reporters ahead of the first T20I against Australia. Canberra.
Shivam Dubey may get an edge in Australia
Suryakumar said that he would not hesitate to deploy Dubey in a similar role even against a quality team like Australia. This has given Dubey an edge over the team’s other all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
“If your preparation is solid, if you have practiced well and you have no doubts in your mind, then I think you are very clear about your plans. And he is very clear about his plans. If he gets another chance tomorrow, why not? This is a good team and when you bowl well against a good team, it boosts your confidence even more,” he said.
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