In the intense Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, India captain Suryakumar Yadav made a bold tactical move that caught everyone off guard — he handed the new ball to Shivam Dube, a part-time bowler who had bowled just 10 overs across five matches leading up to the final. The decision came amid Hardik Pandya’s absence, ruled out due to a quadriceps injury.

While many expected Jasprit Bumrah to start the proceedings, Surya’s decision to trust Dube in the high-pressure first over could have easily gone wrong if the all-rounder had leaked runs.

To his credit, Dube handled the challenge admirably, conceding only a single boundary in his opening over. He went on to bowl three economical overs, conceding just 23 runs, playing a key role as India bowled Pakistan out for a modest 146. The move reflected Surya’s growing tactical maturity and his deep understanding of his teammates’ abilities.

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Speaking ahead of the first T20I against Australia in Canberra, Suryakumar Yadav revealed that his faith in Dube stemmed from witnessing his dedication in training.

“No, I don’t put pressure on anyone. Everyone prepares in their own way, and Dube has been working extremely hard on his bowling. That’s why I trusted him to bowl the first over in the Asia Cup final. I’ve known him for seven to eight years and understand what he’s capable of. His preparation was really impressive,” Suryakumar Yadav told reporters.

Suryakumar Yadav also confirmed that he won’t hesitate to use Dube in a similar role against Australia, emphasising the importance of self-belief and preparation.

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“If your preparation is solid and your mind is clear, you can perform against any side. Dube knows exactly what his plans are. If he gets another opportunity tomorrow, why not? When you bowl well against a strong team, your confidence only grows,” he added.