Asia Cup 2025: "Hardik is like a brother" - India all-rounder ignores comparisons after heroics against UAE

Shivam Dube had a field day at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, September 10, against the UAE in match No. 2 of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The Mumbai all-rounder finished with mind-boggling figures of 3/4 in two overs, picking up the wickets of Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, and Junaid Siddique.

India dismissed the UAE for 57 in 13.1 overs before chasing the paltry target in just 4.3 overs, with nine wickets to spare. Dube didn't get a go with the bat as Shubman Gill (20* off nine balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (7* off 2 balls) took India home after Abhishek Sharma's blistering start (30 off 16 balls).

After his splendid performance with the ball, Dube said that he considers Hardik Pandya as his brother and sees no comparisons with him. Instead, the 32-year-old revealed that he looks to learn as much as he can from Pandya's experience.

“Hardik is like a brother from whom I learn a lot of things. He has so much more experience, both in IPL and international cricket, compared to me. Comparison, I never thought of. My only endeavor is to learn as much as I can from his vast experience," Dube said at the post-match press conference.

Dube also mentioned that he has been working hard on his bowling, especially ever since he made a comeback to the Indian team. The Mumbai-born said that India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has been working with him, helping him learn the art of fast bowling.

“Morne has been working with me since I came back into the Indian team for the England series. He has given me certain specific advice and I worked on them. The head coach and the skipper had told me that my bowling will have a role to play. For the last two months, I have worked a great deal on my fitness," Dube said.

I know I have a role to play in the middle overs: Dube

Dube said that he knows he will have to play a role for India in the middle overs during the Asia Cup. He asserted that he has worked on increasing his range of shots.

"As far as my batting is concerned, I know I have a role to play in the middle overs. Over the years, bowlers targeted me with short balls, and I have worked on increasing my range of shots," Dube said.

After the comprehensive win against the UAE, the Men in Blue will now face arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, September 14.