India faced South Africa in their first Super 8s match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on February 22 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad but suffered a humiliating defeat by 76 runs. The Proteas
posted a total of 187/7 in that fixture, and in reply Indian batters could only manage to score 111 runs for the loss of all 10 wickets in 18.5 overs. The defeat against the losing finalists of the 2024 T20 World Cup invited a lot of criticism for Indian players, but according to star all-rounder Shivam Dube, that result changed India’s campaign in the tournament.
While speaking to the Indian Express after India’s win in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026, Dube stated that India were playing well, but after the disappointing result against Aiden Markram’s men, Indian players pulled up their socks and became a completely different team.
“As a team, we peaked after the loss against South Africa. Before that game, we were playing well, but we all pulled up our socks after that. We were a completely different team, and our best came in the final”, Dube said.
Post defeat against South Africa, India posted totals of 256/4 against Zimbabwe, 253/7 vs England and 255/5 against New Zealand in addition to chasing down a 196-run target in 19.2 overs against the West Indies in their third Super 8s match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
In the T20 World Cup 2026, Dube played all nine matches for Team India and scored 235 runs in addition to taking five wickets.
Opening about his role for India in the T20 World Cup 2026, Dube stated that he was told by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav that he needed to keep the strike rate high.
“My role was simple and communicated a long time ago by coach Gautam Gambhir and Surya bhai – keeping the strike rate high. If I’m asked to bowl, keep a tight line and keep the runs down. During the last World Cup too, I had a similar role, but that time I had only a couple of big knocks. This time, I told myself that I won’t think too far ahead and take things match by match,” Dube said.
Dube’s role in India’s T20I team is to hit fours and sixes, which is a risky job, but Dube doesn’t think that way. According to him, he always had the confidence to do the job.
“I always had the confidence and just backed myself. I had worked hard on it. There was clarity in what the team wanted from me. I didn’t promise anything to myself, and the goal was to win the World Cup at home,” he said.
