Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube has undergone a remarkable transformation, turning his once-supplementary bowling into a genuine and trusted weapon for the national T20 side. This evolution has provided the Indian team with much-needed balance and flexibility in the shortest format of the game.
From Supplementary to Strategic Asset
Early in his international career, Shivam Dube's bowling was largely viewed as an extra part of his game. However, through dedicated work on control, pace variation, and accuracy, the 32-year-old has reinvented himself. He is now considered a reliable sixth-bowling option, a development that has significantly strengthened India's strategic options in T20 cricket.
"I always believed my bowling could contribute more than people thought," Dube stated. Recognizing he wouldn't be an express pace bowler, he focused his efforts on hitting the right areas, changing pace effectively, and reading pitch conditions to best utilise his seam-up deliveries.
Earning the Captain's Trust in Crucial Moments
This shift in mindset and skill has yielded significant results. In recent T20 Internationals, team captains have confidently thrown the ball to Dube during critical phases, especially in the middle overs or when a batting partnership is building momentum. His ability to bowl cutters into the pitch and take pace off the ball has consistently forced batters into errors and mistimed shots.
The true mark of his rise is the tactical confidence shown by the team management. Dube is no longer a stopgap solution but an integral part of the bowling plan. His overs often allow India to preserve a frontline bowler for the death overs or attack more aggressively with spin from the other end.
Guidance from Gambhir and Morkel Fuels Growth
Dube credits his improved tactical understanding and self-belief to key figures within the setup. "In T20s, as a bowler, I have to be smarter than the batter," he explained. "That skill was there in me, but I didn't have the idea where and when to utilise my variations. Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) and Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) have instilled belief in me. They've repeatedly told me I can come out on top in any situation."
He also highlighted the technical input from bowling coach Morne Morkel. "During the off season, I worked on my fitness. When I am with the Indian team, our bowling coach Morne Morkel has helped me develop my bowling skills. He has given me several tips, and those tips have worked for me during live match situations," Dube added on Tuesday.
This combination of technical refinement, tactical education, and boosted confidence has been central to Shivam Dube's successful transition. His journey from a part-time bowler to a trusted tactical option underscores a vital development for Team India as they build their T20 resources.
