As we look toward the 2025 Asia Cup, Team India is in a rare but somewhat tough position of having too many players. Finding the right XI is not about who is in form, but which players create the right balance. And one name that has appeared consistently as a potential game-changer is Shivam Dube. Shivam Dube isn’t the storm you always see coming—he’s the unexpected gust that knocks the game off balance. Here are my reasons to think that Dube can be the difference to secure the trophy for India this year.
Batting Depth: The Safety Net India Needs
India’s top order is practically locked and loaded for the Asia Cup, and their bowling arsenal is impressive as ever. But here’s the thing—cricket isn’t won by bowlers alone. Having a deep batting line-up is critical, especially when the game hits tricky patches. Enter Shivam Dube.
Dube at No.8 provides India cover. Having Dube gives the other players confidence to play their games naturally without the constant fear of losing partners or running out of wickets in the lower-middle order. Yes, this may come at the expense of a specialist bowler, but in T20, this balance, although fundamentally isn’t good, usually tips in favor of batting. Dube is not just a placeholder. Dube can steady the ship when it’s rocking, or hit the turbo button when the chase demands speed.
Spin Mastery: Handling Subcontinent Trickery
Asia Cup conditions are a spinner’s playground. Rashid Khan, Maheesh Theekshana, and Wanindu Hasaranga—three spinners in the top 15 of ICC T20I rankings—aren’t going to make life easy. That’s where Dube’s spin credentials come into play.
Being a lefty, Dube flips the spin puzzle on its head and makes wrist spinners second-guess their tricks. His strike rate of 139.13 against Rashid Khan and 218.51 against Wanindu Hasaranga in T20 cricket isn’t just numbers—it’s proof that he can turn potential spin trouble into match-winning opportunities. Axar brings reliability, but Dube brings the chaos factor—he can flip the mood of a match in just a few swings.
The Finisher India Can Count On
Let’s talk death overs—the stage where games are made or broken. Dube has been deployed in this exact role multiple times in T20Is, batting below No.5 in nearly half of his innings. It’s never just about hanging around—it’s about signing off with fireworks.
In the death overs, Dube doesn’t bat—he detonates, with strike rates north of 170. If India needs some serious fireworks to go along with Hardik Pandya, particularly if Jitesh Sharma does not get into the XI, Dube can provide that. Also, Dube provides India with the option of some flexible medium pace even without him batting, which will be perfect for a team that is contemplating a spin-heavy team like at the Champions Trophy. He is the type of player who can transform a match in 6 balls, with bat or ball, and so is a low-risk, high-reward selection.
FAQs
- What role does Dube play in strengthening India’s batting lineup?
He provides stability at No.8 and allows other batters to play aggressively without worrying about the tail.
- Can Dube be used as a finisher for India?
Yes, his high strike rate in death overs makes him ideal for finishing games with big hits.
- Does Shivam Dube contribute with the ball?
Yes, he bowls medium pace and can serve as a third all-rounder option in a spin-h
