All-rounder Shivam Dubey has dismissed concerns about Team India’s batsmen struggling against off-spin in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The left-handed batsman said that there is no discussion within the team on the issue and added that the discussion about off-spin will disappear in the upcoming matches.
India registered a 17-run win over Netherlands in the Group A match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 18. The team led by Suryakumar Yadav achieved its fourth consecutive win. They topped the Group A points table and made it to the Super 8 stage.
There is no discussion because… – Shivam Dubey on India’s struggle against off-spin
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Shivam Dubey was asked about India’s struggle against off-spin. He said that this topic is not discussed within the team and described it as a normal part of batting. Dubey said that a well-executed shot can end the discussion about off-spin.
Dubey said, “Nothing. There is no issue because sometimes some batsmen are not able to hit some balls. It is just about one shot. They start hitting that one shot and there will be no talk about off spin in the coming matches.”
The defending champions struggled against off-spin bowling throughout the group stage. Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus took four wickets against them, while Sam Ayub and Aryan Dutt also found success in off-spin against the Men in Blue.
When you find no limits… – Shivam Dubey
Shivam Dubey played an inning of 66 runs in 31 balls. He started cautiously and took 11 balls to hit his first boundary, but once he found his rhythm, he dominated the attack. Dubey hit four fours and six sixes before being dismissed by Logan van Beek.
Dubey said that even if boundaries are not scored quickly, he still remains confident. He said that building a partnership after the fall of wickets is more important than hurrying. Dubey said he is confident in his ability to compensate for this with big hits.
“When you don’t hit a four, there is pressure on you. But I know that even if I am on two off 10 balls, in the next five, I can hit two sixes. There was a wicket. So it was important that we build a partnership. For that, if you take an extra 2-4 balls then it is fine,” Dubey said.
If we don’t get the start we want… – Shivam Dubey
The India all-rounder backed captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Verma after questions were raised about his low strike rate in the recent World Cup games. He said that the team was not able to get the starts it wanted, forcing the batsmen to change their approach.
“The game is tough because it is the World Cup. If we don’t get the start we want, Tilak and Surya have to bat differently. They bat according to the situation. If Tilak has to hit, he does. There is no need to say anything about Surya. He can put the team in the best position,” the all-rounder said.
After losing the openers early, India’s middle order played a vital role. Suryakumar Yadav scored 34 runs in 28 balls at a strike rate of 121.43, while Tilak Verma added 31 runs in 27 balls at a strike rate of 114.81. India scored a total of 193/6 runs in 20 overs against the Dutch team.
Also read: BCCI selector reveals discrimination against Varun Chakraborty