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Abhinav Mukund has lauded Shivam Dube for his all-round contribution in the fifth T20I between India and Zimbabwe. He noted that the seam-bowling all-rounder delivered what was expected from him.
Dube first smoked 26 runs off 12 balls as India set Zimbabwe a 168-run target in Harare on Sunday, July 14. He then registered figures of 2/25 in four overs and ran Sikandar Raza out as the Men in Blue completed a 42-run win in the final game to bag the series 4-1.
Speaking on Sony Sports, Mukund was asked for his thoughts on Dube's performance.
"That's what I loved about his conversation with Tino (Mawoyo). He said 'One ball can change things up with regards to my batting and with my bowling'. He forgot to mention the run-out as well. He was involved in that direct hit from short fine leg to get rid of the big player, Sikandar Raza," he said.
"So he had a game to remember, and that's exactly what India are also looking for. It's always the big thing in Indian cricket, they are looking for that all-rounder. Shivam Dube was hitting spin and hitting pace as well. 26 off 12 was immense at that time of the game and then contributing with the ball and in the field," the former India opener added.
Dube walked out to bat when India were 105/4 at the fall of Riyan Parag's wicket. He added 30 runs with Sanju Samson and a further 18 runs with Rinku Singh before being run out after a mix-up with the latter.
"We have seen how difficult it is to bat out there if you haven't been out there before" - Tino Mawoyo on Shivam Dube's knock
In the same discussion, former player Tino Mawoyo was asked about Shivam Dube's belligerent knock, considering it hadn't been easy for batters to hit boundaries as soon as they arrived at the crease.
"You took the words right out of my mouth because I was going to say we have seen how difficult it is to bat out there if you haven't been out there before. He hasn't spent time in the middle prior to today," he replied.
The former Zimbabwe batter noted that Dube's cameo virtually took the game out of the hosts' reach.
"You could see he had a game plan when he walked out. He was ultra-positive and he knew that he needed to play an innings that was going to change the innings for India, and that's exactly what he did. 26 in 12, two fours and two sixes - 'thank you, now we are out of reach, Zimbabwe'," Mawoyo said.
Dube joined the Indian squad only after the second T20I and didn't get to bat in the third and fourth games. The big-hitter was sent ahead of Rinku Singh in the final T20I and made the most of the opportunity, with his all-round effort earning him the Player of the Match award.
