Former India cricketer Abhishek Nayar has heaped praise on Shivam Dube, stating that the all-rounder has consistently delivered whenever challenged across formats over the past year. His latest match-winning performance against the Netherlands in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 only reinforced that belief.

In India’s final Group A fixture in Ahmedabad, Dube smashed a blistering 66 off just 31 balls, powering India to a formidable 194. At one stage, he was on just two runs off his first nine deliveries, but once he found his rhythm, the momentum shifted dramatically. According to Nayar, the ability to absorb pressure and then accelerate is what separates Dube from the rest.

“He had scored only two runs off the first nine balls. After that, he rotated the strike. He is a player like that. Once his bat starts striking the ball, it is very difficult to stop him,” Abhishek Nayar said during a discussion on JioHotstar.

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Dube’s impact wasn’t limited to the bat. He returned with figures of 2/35 in three overs, helping restrict the Dutch to 176/7 and sealing a 17-run win. He removed Bas de Leede and later dismissed Zach Lion-Cachet in the final over, showing composure under pressure.

Nayar also highlighted the physical transformation behind Dube’s improved performances. “He has worked very hard. He has reduced his weight, increased his strength and muscle mass. His bowling pace has also gone up — he was clocking 130-131 kph today,” he noted.

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Beyond raw power, Abhishek Nayar emphasised Dube’s defined scoring zones — midwicket, long-on and deep cover — while suggesting there’s still more to unveil in his batting repertoire. With impactful contributions in both departments, Dube is rapidly evolving into one of India’s most dependable modern-day all-rounders.