Shivam Dube was included in India’s playing XI for their first match of the Asia Cup 2025 on Wednesday, September 10, against the United Arab Emirates, and the Mumbai-based all-rounder justified his selection
by taking three wickets for just four runs in two overs. His super show with the ball helped India bowl the hosts out for just 57 runs in 13.1 overs and then secure a big 9-wicket win by chasing down the target in 4.3 overs.
Dube’s career-best bowling performance in T20Is for India on Wednesday also helped him win the Impact Player of the Match award in the Indian dressing room.
In a video shared by BCCI on Instagram, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel praised Dube’s contribution by saying, “One guy got an opportunity tonight with the ball. We spoke about it this week that when we hand the ball to you, (is) to make the impact, and I think you did that tonight, so Shivam Dube.”
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Indian players gave a loud cheer to Dube, who was also the member of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup under Rohit Sharma’s leadership last year, and then pulled his leg by asking him to give a speech.
In the viral video, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav can be heard saying, “Bhai, ye rule hai, impact player jo rahega, vo speech dega centre mei aake,” and then vice-captain Shubman Gill gave Dube an alternate option by saying, “Ya speech ya dance.”
They continued to tease Dube, and when Morkel was giving him the medal, a couple of players can be heard saying, “Bhai bahut lucky hai tu,” in the video.
After receiving the medal, Dube finally gave a speech in which he said that he really enjoyed bowling.
“I really enjoyed bowling today. I was keen to bowl in the match. And yes, I got the opportunity. I worked really hard. Thanks Mornie,” Dube said.
Apart from Dube, spinner Kuldeep Yadav picked up 4 wickets for 7 runs in 2.1 overs against UAE. Kuldeep’s figures of 4/7 are the second best by any bowler in the T20I format of the Asia Cup, and for his memorable show, he won the Player of the Match award.
