IND v BAN: Shivam Dube’s first big moment comes with the ball
The third and final T20I versus Bangladesh at Nagpur turned out to be more dramatic and eventful than one would have expected it to be. The hosts wrapped up the series 2-1 after being down 0-1 and India had a special architect of the win in none other than all-rounder Shivam Dube. After Deepak Chahar’s final nails in the coffin, it was Dube who at a crucial juncture punctured the visitor’s dreams of making the dream of a series win come true.
A FORGETFUL BEGINNING
Dube had a rather shaky start to his spell conceding 23 off his first couple of overs with Mohammad Naim taking a special liking for him and smashing him for three boundaries within that period. The fact that India had to strictly trust five bowlers meant that the Mumbai pacer had to get his full quota out. While he bowled just 2 overs for 12 in the previous T20I, he was asked to defend four on his debut, a rather unusual situation for a debutant to be in.
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THE COMEBACK
Shivam Dube
He didn’t have to wait much to show his heroics with the ball though. With 65 needed off the last 7 with 7 wickets in hand, Bangladesh were well on their way in their chase. Naim was going all guns blazing and the man who loves such situations against India had just walked in, Mushfiqur Rahim. How much would have the odds been of him getting out for a golden duck? Seems like Dube had already made his calculations, and he had him chop on to the stumps in the 14th over. There couldn’t have been a better timing to secure his first international wicket in India colours.
India’s defence of the score struck gold when he returned in the 16th over to dismiss Mohammad Naim and Affif Hossain off successive deliveries and become India’s trump card. The former was cleaned up a perfectly executed yorker that sent the left-hander’s off-stump for a walk and the latter fell to a soft caught and bowled dismissal. The tables had turned and India had a firm grip on the match. His final figures read 4-0-30-3, a standout performance that outlined India’s win.
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This performance would mean a great deal for Dube who is playing his first full series and also remind the management of his utility in Hardik Pandya’s absence. The recent India A tours have done a world of good to his game and it was rightful of skipper Rohit Sharma to back him at the time in the right situation. With the team heading in the right direction to give the potential players a chance, it is also making sure to give them the space that a certain player needs to be in. After forgetful appearances in the first two T20Is, the Mumbai lad finally delivered.
As everyone knows now of what goes on as a tradition in Team India letting the newcomers hold the trophy, it was Shivam Dube who stood in the centre amidst a cheering unit and the celebrations around!