Shivam Dube provided India with a crucial late-innings boost as the all-rounder smashed a quickfire 27 off 15 balls against Pakistan in the Asian Games 2026 gold medal match at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday, October 3. Dube walked in after Shreyas Iyer’s dismissal and initially found it difficult to get going against Pakistan’s spin options, Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub. The left-hander managed only 10 runs from his first 10 deliveries before shifting gears during the closing stages of India’s innings.
The momentum changed dramatically in the penultimate over when Dube took on Ayub. He began by stepping down the track as the off-spinner attempted to bowl wide outside his hitting zone. Dube reached the delivery and hammered a low six over long-off, leaving the fielder with little chance.
Ayub then shortened his length after seeing Dube advance down the pitch. However, the change did not prevent the Indian batter from attacking. With the ball turning away from him, Dube created enough room to unleash a powerful slog over midwicket for another maximum.
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Dube added another boundary to complete an impressive three-boundary sequence in the penultimate over, including consecutive sixes. His late assault helped India gather valuable runs when the innings appeared to be losing momentum.
Shivam Dube casually flexing those big-hitting muscles! 😅
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The all-rounder was dismissed from the first delivery of the final over while attempting to attack a bouncer from Ahmed Daniyal. Dube connected cleanly with his pull shot, but the ball fell just short of the boundary fielder, who completed the catch close to the rope.
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Despite losing Dube, India finished strongly. The left-handed combination of Dube and Tilak Varma produced 39 runs from the final two overs, taking India beyond the 200-run mark. India eventually posted an imposing 211/6, with Varma contributing a rapid 21-ball half-century after striking consecutive sixes.
Pakistan began their chase under pressure and were 62/3 after nine overs at the time of the report, with India searching for another breakthrough in the Asian Games final.
