IND v SA, Fourth T20I: Dube credits Gambhir-SKY for growing confidence with the ball

Shivam Dube has become a regular starter in India’s T20 set-up mainly for his batting prowess. But the 32-year-old is now slowly growing in confidence with his bowling and is ready to shoulder the challenge of being a genuine all-rounder. 

In the last year, Dube has increased his bowling load and returned figures of one for 21 in three overs in the previous game in Dharamsala. 

“I have worked a lot in the off-season on my fitness. And when I am with the Indian team, I have many conversations with Morne (Morkel). It helps me a lot,” said Dube about his bowling on the eve of the fourth T20I against South Africa. 

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“T20 is a game where you have to be smart. I was smart when I bowled, but I didn’t know when, how and what to apply. As soon as Gautam (Gambhir) and (skipper) Surya supported me and told me that I could do it, I put myself in that situation. I realised that I can bowl in challenging situations as well,” he added.

Dube also backed his Mumbai teammate and skipper Suryakumar Yadav to come good soon. 

“He’s the kind of player who can win you five out of five matches on his own. So, if he is not in form, it doesn’t mean that he is not a good player. He is one of the best players; no one can do what he can.” 

“Yes, he is short of runs, but his form will return at the right time. He is a fighter. Whether runs are being made or not, he remains the same. He is such an innovative and threatening player that he can blast at any moment,” said Dube.

Published on Dec 16, 2025