Shivam Dube may be the all-around, long-term pace bowler that India has been searching for: Harbhajan Singh

On Thursday, January 11, India defeated Afghanistan in the opening Twenty20 International in a three-match series, with Shivam Dube being the star of the show in Mohali. The ‘Men in Blue’ won by six wickets with 15 balls remaining.

Shivam Dube made a historic return to the Indian team, first taking out Afghanistan’s skipper Ibrahim Zadran and then leading his team to an undefeated sixty-odd off forty balls, which gave them a 1-0 series lead. Throughout his over, the 30-year-old struck two massive sixes and five boundaries. The renowned Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also praised Dube after his valiant actions in Mohali. In the last few games, the all-rounder might solidify his status as India’s seam-bowling all-rounder, a position that has seen relatively few choices in recent years, according to the former, who also observed that the all-rounder had picked up pace.

“One significant improvement I noticed in Shivam Dube was the tempo at which he now bowls; he has somewhat increased it.

He has undoubtedly increased his pace and made progress in his fitness. He may turn out to be the long-term all-around pace bowler that India needs. It will be challenging to overlook Shivam Dube if he gets runs in the remaining games as well, said Harbhajan Singh on his YouTube channel.

Harbhajan Singh commends the players’ efforts in trying circumstances.

In Mohali, the temperatures plummeted to minus twenty, making it difficult for the players to feel their fingers. Fielders also struggled to hold onto the ball, while bowlers found it increasingly difficult to grip it. The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, was observed dabbing at his hands with a warm water bag following a hard catch. Harbhajan praised the players and the supporters who came to show their support for their efforts in trying circumstances.

“I applaud the players for participating in the game despite the bitter cold, as well as the fans who came to see it. In the past, I have also played in comparable settings in Dharamsala or Mohali, and it can be challenging at times,” Harbhajan continued.

Afghanistan achieved just 158/5 in their 20 overs on a good batting pitch in the first innings. By the end of the Power Play, the Blue Tigers were up 33 to 0. According to Harbhajan, one of the reasons the visitors lost the opening Twenty20 International of the series was because of their poor start. Apart from Mohammad Nabi (42 off 27 balls), no Afghan batsman could put pressure on the Indian bowlers, according to the 43-year-old.

“In the powerplay, the Afghanistan hitters were far too slow to execute any aggressive shots. Nabi was the only hitter who could really cause the Indian bowlers any problems. Given the good batting surface and the challenging bowling conditions for the bowlers, 158 was never going to be a safe score, according to Harbhajan.

On Sunday, January 14, the second Twenty20 International is slated to take place in Indore. For the series to continue, Afghanistan must win that match.