Former India cricketer Abhishek Nayar praised Shivam Dube for delivering a powerful bowling performance within the Men in Blue’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands. He highlighted that the seam-bowling all-rounder has improved his fitness and was clocking speeds comparable to the frontline Dutch pacers.
Dube played an important role in the sport, smashing 66 off just 31 balls to assist India post a goal of 194 of their final Group A fixture in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 18. He then contributed with the ball, picking up 2/35 in three overs because the co-hosts limited Scott Edwards’ side to 176/7, securing a 17-run victory.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Nayar shared his views on Dube’s bowling display against the Netherlands and his overall performances within the T20 World Cup 2026.
“Not only within the World Cup, but within the last one yr, he has delivered at any time when he has been challenged, whether it’s with the ball or the bat. He has even bowled with the brand new ball for India. He has worked very hard. He has reduced his weight and increased his strength. He has increased his muscle mass,” the previous India all-rounder responded.
“His bowling pace has also increased. He was bowling at 130-131 kph today (Wednesday). That’s the all-rounder’s speed. Every Netherlands fast bowler was bowling at that speed. I imagine whatever challenge Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir have given to him, he has lived as much as every challenge to this point,” he added.
“Hard To Stop Once He Gets Going” – Abhishek Nayar On Shivam Dube
Throughout the same discussion, Abhishek Nayar was also asked to share his views on Shivam Dube’s innings in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against the Netherlands.
“He had scored only two runs off the primary nine balls. After that, he rotated the strike. He’s a player like that. Once his bat starts striking the ball, it’s very difficult to stop him. He has power needless to say, but he has his areas as well – midwicket, long-on, deep cover, and we haven’t seen his sweep shot yet,” he replied.
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